A couple who revived a village shop are marking their five-year anniversary with an expansion.

Sylvia and Martin Sims gave the former Mars Newsagents a new lease of life when they opened Sholden Village Store in November 2016. The Deal premises had been closed for 15 years.

Now, after half a decade in business, selling not only groceries but balloons, hampers, keycutting, watch battery replacements, trophies and engraving, they have extended their offering to include darts and dart accessories.

The Darts Cabin, situated next to the village store, opened on November 8.

The couple, who both play for the village pub The Sportsman's darts team, previously ran Goddens Dart Shop in Herne.

Mrs Sims said: "We were forced to close our shop in Herne after 10 years after still being charged full rent during Covid.

"We've moved it here and rebranded. It's already a huge hit with having the facility to try darts before you buy them.

"We've had customers not only locally, but from Medway, Gillingham and Sittingbourne."

Reflecting on their success, the married couple of more than 30 years say are astonished at how established the shop has become.

Mrs Sims said: "We feel it has become so much more than your average village store.

"As well as being shortlisted for two awards, as Best Family Run Business Award and Best Small Business Award, and having thousands of likes and followers on social media, we have become the hub of the village."

They say this could not have been more evident than during the pandemic when they gave out free hampers to villagers over 70 and took telephone food orders from key workers.

Mr Sims said: “It was a 3 o’clock in the morning idea when we decided to offer 100 free hampers to residents of Sholden over the age of 70.

"We advertised asking for nominations for the over 70s in the village, then all the nominations came flooding in.

"This was aimed as a little gift, to show kindness during the start of the very strange times we were going through.

"It was very well received and brought lots of happy tears.”

The shop also worked with Sholden Parish Council and mental health group Talk it Out to provide hundreds more hampers to people in need during Covid-19 times.

If that wasn't all, the community-centred shop has raised thousands supporting Betty’s 5p pots for Walmer RNLI, Martha Trust, Porchlight, Talk it Out, Digby's Smile, Ellice's Wish to Walk, Demelza House and United Families.

Mrs Sims said: "We pride ourselves on going above and beyond for the local community as much as we possibly can.

"We are so grateful for our loyal customers over the last five years and very thankful to our helpers; Lesley, Lauren and other family members who have helped make our dream of opening a traditional village store become a reality."

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