Parcel delivery service Evri could pull its services from a village shop in three months' time in a move which will "devastate the community", it is claimed.

Sevie Ashby, the manager of Cobham Community Stores in Cobham, near Gravesend, fears her business could even face closure if it loses the parcel shop.

She said: "With the cost of living we have already taken a hit and now the electricity bills are going crazy, this is just another hit.

"It will have consequences. It is major for us, the money makes a huge difference. Someone bringing in one parcel makes a difference.

"The parcels bring people in who then go on to buy a pint of milk or some bread.

"If Evri leave the shop, we are going to lose that income and lose the business on other things. It will have an impact.

"We are already scraping the bottom line and this could mean shutting down the shop."

The store, in The Street, is the only one in the village and is almost entirely volunteer-run. It has been an Evri agent since 2014, taking up to 60 parcels a day.

From running this service the shop makes around £2,000 a year, which Sevie explained helps to keep the store, which is a registered community interest company (CIC), afloat.

Yet it could lose this "lifeline" money in three months' time after Evri told the store its service could be pulled as it is not taking in enough packages for it to be viable.

Sevie explained the shop cannot guarantee it will meet the expected targets every week as they do not always have a steady stream of parcels.

She also understands at the German company is favouring basing itself in Tesco Express stores instead of independent retailers – the closest for Cobham customers would be 2.4 miles away in Meopham.

The 48-year-old added: "We cannot compete with Tesco Express. There is no way we can compete with the larger brands. It does all depend on people using us.

"I do understand why they are doing it but they are removing people from the equation, it is all about business, but people are what matters.

"For some, coming to the shop and dropping their parcel is their day out, their purpose. It is not just a shop, it is the heart of the village.

"If we close, the village will be dead. We are trying to support our local businesses and engage with the community as much as possible. It is wholesome. Without it there will be nothing.

"I do understand it but I think if we are a drop in the ocean to them, will it be that big of a deal to keep us open."

An Evri spokesman confirmed the firm is working with the store to help increase the number of parcels it takes each week.

He said: "The Cobham store currently makes on average just over £100 a month and we are working closely with them to help increase their parcel volumes to meet the minimum weekly number we require."

Karen Hughes is one customer who uses the service almost daily to send second-hand books from her online shop Happy Fish Books.

She said: "I actually drive past the one in Meopham to come here. I want to support the local shops rather than the large supermarkets.

"It would impact my business as parking is an issue at the other store but on a personal note I would rather support local places.

"I think it is sad that Evri is doing this. People come in here and they spend a bit of money, it is taking something away from local businesses."

Sevie added: "It seems people do not matter any more, service to the community does not matter, years of loyal trade with them does not matter.

"We are not profitable enough for them. We need people to understand their one or two parcels make a difference. Choose independent, choose local.

"The conclusion is simple, and applicable to much more than a parcel service, use it, or lose it."