Andover’s Premier store gets a festive boost with a council grant
Premier Andover, a new family-run convenience store on Andover High Street, is preparing for the festive season after receiving a £750 Business Incentive Grant from Test Valley Borough Council.
Uncle and nephew Chiragkumar and Bhavik Patel opened Premier Andover earlier this year. Their aim is to give the town centre a friendly, reliable local shop where people are greeted by name and feel welcome.
The store stocks a wide range of everyday essentials and has quickly become part of daily life on the High Street. Regulars include residents, local workers and students from Andover College who drop in at lunchtime. The premises have been fully refitted to a high standard, with a clean, bright and spacious layout. Chiragkumar and Bhavik work in the shop themselves alongside their staff, and they are keen to keep creating local jobs as the business grows.
Bhavik Patel said: “We are really grateful to Test Valley Borough Council for this grant. Andover has given us a wonderful welcome, and customers often take the time to stop and have a chat. That’s exactly what we wanted when we opened. We want Premier Andover to be more than just a shop. We want it to be a part of the community that people can rely on, and we’re looking forward to getting more involved in local life and supporting the town for many years to come.”
St Mary’s ward councillor Iris Andersen said: “It is fantastic to see new businesses such as Premier Andover putting down roots in our town centres. I am delighted that the Business Incentive Grant is helping Chiragkumar and Bhavik develop their business and I wish them every success for the future.”
Test Valley Borough Council is committed to supporting local businesses through a range of initiatives and grants. The Business Incentive Grant is designed to help new businesses located in Test Valley achieve their goals and contribute to the local economy. Businesses must apply for the grant within eight weeks of starting trade, and the funding is awarded once they have been operating for a minimum of six months.