Last Wednesday morning, residents of the Chew Valley woke to a completely refitted and extended local store in Chew Magna.

The adjoining former Midland Bank has become Chew Magna Co-op's storage area and the sales area has expanded into the former warehouse. What looks a small shop on the outside, now has a spacious feel with a particularly wide and welcoming first aisle. The expression 'Tardis', something bigger on the inside than the outside, is much over-used, especially by the motor trade, but this store does look bigger inside than out.

The Co-op has owned a shop in Chew Magna since the 1920s and has been fortunate in employing Gerald Young in the store for more than fifty years. Gerald, now semi-retired, was the Manager for many years.

Before being taken over by the Co-op, the building was a temperance hotel.

The branch is one of twelve Radstock Co-operative Society food shops. Radstock, an independent local Co-op, was founded in 1868.