A pop-up shop has been so successful in Blackfordby it is now providing a service in Netherseal as well.

The shop launched in Netherseal village on Friday (29 May) after starting out in Blackfordby from a converted horse box in April during the Coronavirus lockdown New Blackfordby shop saddles up for opening day

Sarah Byrd, who runs the shop, received several requests to visit the village.

She told Ashby Nub News: "We ran a trial in Netherseal on Friday and it was a huge success with more than 70 customers.

"To give you an idea I'd laid out two big tables overflowing with bread, cakes and other bakery items.

"At the end of the four hours there were just three cornflake cupcakes and six mini croissants left.

"We met so many lovely people and it was nice to see the community coming together whilst remaining safe.

"Following on from the trial we are now going to return to the village every Friday from 10am to 2pm."

Sarah started the business from the horse box and with a few tables in Blackfordby, selling a small selection of fruit and veg, store cupboard essentials, milk and butter.

"We are now at Blackfordby on a Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday from 8am to 1.30pm," she explained.

"But we have expanded our range substantially in response to demand.

"From a little table and a gazebo we now have several tables under a marquee with much more fruit and veg, salad, fresh baked items - from Julia's Bakery in Ashby and The Buckley Bakehouse in Swadlincote - along with an expanded store cupboard range.

"We've invested in extra fridges and now have bakes such as pies and quiches and cheese."

The same wide variety of produce is available at Netherseal and Sarah takes pre-orders, which are bagged and ready for collection, and provides a delivery service for those unable to shop at her pop-ups.

She can be contacted on 07812 367765.

Sarah also has longer term plans in place.

"We've realised that there are a lot of villages where there are elderly and those self-isolating which don't have a shop," she added.

"While everyone loves the horse box, setting up and taking down is hard work and time-consuming.

"So we are going to buy a van to run a mobile shop which will provide us with more flexibility and enable us to visit more villages.

"Although will probably still take the horse box to Blackfordby."