Village Shops do not seem to be seen as rural assets but are seen as profit making enterprises by funders. Community shops in contrast get lots of support. Are there ways we can encourage Village Shops to develop?

Our village has one shop/post office. Some weeks ago there was a robbery at the shop. Following this the owner closed the shop and the post office. However it subsequently came to light that the the owner had cancelled her Post Office contract(which was not one designated for closure) about two weeks previously. This was done without any consultation with the village and without informing the Parish Council. The owner's husband is a member of the Parish Council and, despite the obvious conflict of interest, continues to participate in the council discussions on the grounds that "the shop is now closed therefore no conflict exists". The discussions have become very hostile with a small cabal of their friends determined to block any attempt to explore options for re-opening the shop which is now on the market for sale. However it is clear that they would prefer to sell it for a higher price as a home rather than a business. I understand that under current legislation they cannot change use for a period of 12 months. There is a significant group in the village who would like to find a more constructive way forward. My question is around the legal rights and wrongs of this situation, and whether there are any rural support mechanisms which might allow / support some sort of consortium approach to buying the shop and re-opening both the shop and the Post Office. Clearly this has a profoundly negative effect on the village community.

Has anyone come accross a scheme to provide care services for the elderly in rural areas by providing care assistants with tied housing? This would hopefully compensate for low wages in the sector and lack of affordable housing in areas where 2nd homes push prices up.