A village's only shop has shut but a chance meeting in the street means it will not remain empty for long.

Woods of Hollingbourne has closed despite owner Julie Wood saying she "loved every single minute" of running the store since it opened two-and-a-half years ago.

The shop, noted for its fresh food from local producers, supported the village during the Covid pandemic, but did not generate enough profit, said Mrs Wood.

She added: "I put my best into it. It was the first time I had run a shop and it was a massive learning curve."

Woods, which opened in November, 2019, had offered everything from fruit and veg, to cakes, meat, newspapers and alcohol, employing four part-time staff.

Mrs Woods had taken over the premises from Christopher Rudgard, who retired in 2019 at the age of 79 having run the village stores for 15 years.

Villager Sarah Trought said: "This is a low point for Hollingbourne. Julie saw the community through Covid, responding at lightning speed with door-to-door deliveries.

"She completely renovated the shop to such a high standard, used local suppliers and produce, and ultimately enhanced our village by providing an excellent and essential facility."

Mrs Wood said she intended to stay in Hollingbourne. "I have made so many friends through running the shop," she added.

But the store in Eyhorne Street is not to remain empty for long.

Greg Salmon and Kate Frost are to take over the lease and intend to run a branch of their business, Kin Coffee, in the shop.

Mrs Wood said: "They're a lovely couple. I'm glad it's them taking over."

Kin Coffee will roast its own coffee beans on the premises, which will hopefully also double up as a Hermes collection point.

But the couple intend to continue to supply the village with basic groceries.

Mr Salmon said: "At the moment we roast our own coffee beans in what used to be the potting shed of our home in Staplehurst.

"We plan on moving the roaster to Hollingbourne and doing away with about half the shelving to provide seating.

"However, we aren't planning on leaving Hollingbourne villagers in the lurch and will be carrying on with a lot of what Julie has started."

In particular they intend to a devote a box room at the back to display locally produced goods and will continue to offer the essentials such as bread and milk.

Mr Salmon said: "To be honest our plans are rather unsettled at the moment.

"We will have to settle in and see what works."

He admitted the decision to take on the shop had been "spur of the moment," when the couple had visited Hollingbourne for a drink at the Windmill pub, and subsequently met Mrs Wood in the street.

He said: "It was all rather serendipitous."

"We're very much looking forward to opening around mid-July."

Until now, the couple have been selling their coffee brand at farmer's markets, online and by subscription.

Mr Salmon said: "It's a beautiful property in a lovely village. We're very much looking forward to opening around mid-July."

Kin Coffee will continue to host a visit from the Royal Mail every Wednesday, between 10am an 1pm.