Radstock Co-operative Society opened its branch in Timsbury at the height of the First World War in 1916. At that time, mining and agriculture totally dominated the local economy. Besides its Radstock grocery shop, non-food stores, dairy and bakery, the area's local independent Co-operative Society was trading in nearby villages.

On Monday evening, staff proudly showed off to local guests the big changes that have been made to the store in recent weeks. The sales area has been massively expanded, the store refitted with new fixtures and state-of-the-art energy-saving refrigeration introduced.

After a tour of the store, former Branch Manager, Colin Robinson, was assisted in cutting the ribbon by the store's next-door neighbours, Mr and Mrs Elliot, who have lived next door to the Co-op for more than forty years.

The Society's Chief Executive, Don Morris, and top retail manager, Albert Moulder explained how much they had appreciated the cooperation and fore-bearance of the couple during all the alterations.

This branch has been a real part of the community for a long time.

While the Timsbury store in 1916 was modern for the time, it also reflected the lack of convenient transport, the store offered fresh meat provisions and a small amount of non-food lines. Its limited needs were all satisfied by the Society's own small warehouse.

Today's grocery range is immense by comparision with the shop being served from a huge regional warehouse run for the Society by the Manchester-based Co-operative Group.

Customers can expect to be impressed when they return to the store, after its brief closure, it is larger, brighter, less claustrophobic and altogether a much more pleasant place to shop.