A POPULAR community shop on Anglesey has reopened.

The Menter Y Pentre/Village Venture is a social enterprise based in Cemaes Bay and was said to be the first of its kind when it opened in 2008.

In December of that year, a group of enthusiastic villagers approached the chairman of Llanbadrig Community Council to ask about the availability of the then empty newsagent's shop.

It was agreed with the estate agent that, for a nominal rent, the Village Venture could be set up.

The shop has gone through stages of opening and closing since then due to extensive refurbishment work taking place.

Locals flocked to the building to attend its reopening ceremony where local MP Albert Owen cut the ribbon. “It was a real delight to reopen Menter y Pentre this morning,” he said.

“It is a true community shop that is situated right in the heart of Cemaes Bay.”

Over the years, the shop has gone from strength to strength and the number of volunteers joining the shop team has increased to 30 and Village Venture has donated nearly £18,000 to clubs, schools and societies in and around the Cemaes community.

The shop is manned by these volunteers who have agreed that any money left after expenses had been paid would be put back into the village.

Shop secretary Morg Flookes said: “I would personally just like to thank those who not only supported the event but our shop as well.”