Benenden's Community Shop - Cafe - Post Office

This shop has been an asset to many in the village and beyond during lockdown, stocking a wide variety of groceries, gifts, alcohol, stationery and cards. The café makes it a lovely community hub too. The people make the place so warm and welcoming.

like

Report

Shop Post Office and cafe all in one place. Best coffee around and wonderful staff!

like

Report

On a short break and staying local we found the Community Shop a delight. So many villages and rural areas have lost local shops /post offices etc. These little shops are the heart of any community. It is where people meet/ chat and get involved. It is a place where people who live alone and have little contact with others can meet up . The coffee and cakes were very good and the shop well stocked. But by far the most important asset this Community Shop offers is to act as a focal point for the village folk. Well Done Everyone.

like

Report

I live locally and as I had the day off work I decided cycle with my 12 year old daughter to the shop for an ice cream. Once bought I looked outside if there was somewhere to sit but 3 men were using most of tables and as they were smoking I didn’t want to sit beside them. As only one of the tables inside were being used we sat down with the intention of being there for 5 minutes while we ate our ice creams. While sitting there I noticed the information screen showing that they had raised 5,000 for a new play ground and that they were still looking for new members. As I am not a member I made a note to myself to sign up when I got home and become a member and denote some money. After about two minutes a lady very bluntly said if we weren’t going to buy anything from the cafe we couldn’t sit there. When I explained we had bought the ice creams from the shop area in the same room she said again very bluntly there was a sign outside stating the rules that I was not allowed to sit at these tables even though they were all empty because I had made my purchase at the shop till and not the cafe till. Had the cafe been full I could understand if this had been politely explained to me and would have would have moved on. However this lady was clearly angry and unnecessarily blunt and rude. We got up and ate our ice creams standing outside beside our bikes. The shop may be a great community asset but someone needs to train the volunteers on customer service. I will now not become a member and will go to the shop in Rolvenden in future who are much more welcoming. That lady really needs to get life in perspective!

like

Report

Rude! Plain and simple! Stopped here urgently as I just got stung by a wasp above the eye 3 times and was looking to see if I could either find the nearest hospital or chemist as I was cycling (Remember, most cyclists drive cars too) Was immediately tooted by either the owner of the shop or the guy that lives there to move. Twice I moved my bike, explaining what I was searching for. Not one thank you for moving. Manners maketh the man. Parking your car was more important and as you mentioned, you could have parked on your drive. No concern for another human being. Found help at Benenden Hospital by riding there, albeit not an emergency hospital, but at least paying them for pain killers was better than giving this shop any money. Just hope these people receive the same level of service they give. Hoping to visit you once again in my car.

like

Report