EFFORTS to save Upham’s last village shop have been given a boost by city chiefs as they gave locals breathing room to prepare a takeover bid.

Lower Upham Village Stores and Post Office will now be protected as a community asset while a new action group plots how to maintain the shop, due to close this month.

Jenni and David Bell, of Shoe Lane, have volunteered to run it as a community venture and provide financial backing. Mr Bell, a web designer, is set to lead a meeting of 40 concerned residents on Wednesday night.

Last month more than 100 people turned out to discuss the shop’s future.

Current shopkeeper Gary Dhatt says he has been driven out of business by a traffic island installed by Hampshire County Council.

The community asset listing by Winchester City Council recognises the shop’s importance and gives village groups six months to prepare a bid before it can be sold.

“The loss of the village store in Lower Upham is likely to have a detrimental effect on the wellbeing of the local residents, especially those who have reduced mobility and cannot easily access alternative services in Bishop’s Waltham or Fair Oak,” a council spokesman said.

It is “realistic” that the land will benefit locals for the next five years, he added.

However, Mr Dhatt is reluctant to sell or lease, which could force villagers to open a new shop in an extended village hall.

Plans to save the shop will be discussed at the Pavilion in Upham Recreation Ground from 7.30pm on Wednesday.

Mr Bell said: “Because of the community letting, I’m conscious that although I’m interested in helping out ... there’s quite a few different ideas. It’s just as important that everyone gets a say.”

Mr Dhatt, who told the Chronicle in March that a community asset listing would be another example of civic chiefs getting in the way of his business, declined to comment.

The Post Office has pledged to continue service in the village.