Grants help Chilbolton Village Shop and Tearoom grow and expand
A popular village shop and tearoom in Chilbolton is investing in its future after receiving more than £21,000 in grant funding from Test Valley Borough Council.
Nicky Bond, owner of Chilbolton Village Shop and Tearoom, has secured £13,400 from the Rural England Prosperity Fund (REPF) and £8,300 from the Rural Enterprise Grant to support improvements to the business and help it expand its food offering.
The funding has enabled the shop to be reconfigured, bringing together its freshly prepared food service with an upgraded coffee machine and display fridge. The new layout provides better customer experience, improves staff efficiency, and creates more space for food-to-go. The post office counter has also been moved to the rear of the shop, giving customers greater privacy when using the service.
Alongside the improvements to the shop, Nicky has established an offsite kitchen at Stonefield Park on the outskirts of Chilbolton. The additional facility will allow the business to increase production of food to go and ready meals, while also supporting the growth of its catering services for private and corporate customers. The grants have contributed towards the purchase and installation of specialist kitchen equipment including a gas oven, freezer, chiller, and dishwasher.
Nicky and her husband Andy recently celebrated 10 years at the shop and are proud to support local producers by stocking a wide range of high-quality local products. The business also plays an important role in the community by catering for a variety of local organisations and events.
Nicky Bond said: "I am so grateful for the grants. If they had not been available, we would never have been able to make this investment. We’d been making-do for years, but I’ve now been able to realise my vision for the shop. I could not have done it without the help of my husband Andy and the fantastic support of my staff, the village and my customers. We are all thrilled with the transformation."
Cllr David Drew said: "Chilbolton Village Shop and Tearoom is much more than a shop. It is a valued community asset that local people rely on and enjoy. Nicky and Andy have shown tremendous dedication over the last 10 years, building a business that supports local producers, serves residents and brings people together. I am delighted that these grants have helped them realise their vision and create a strong foundation for future growth."
The UK Government’s Rural England Prosperity Fund is part of the UK Shared Prosperity Fund that provides capital funding for rural business and rural communities. TVBC received over £150k for 2025-26 which is being distributed between businesses and community organisations across the rural areas of our borough to help develop our rural economy. The UK Shared Prosperity Fund aims to improve pride in place and increase life chances across the UK investing in communities and place, supporting local business, and people and skills.
For more information about business grants available through Test Valley Borough Council, visit the council's website.