This afternoon, Isle of Wight Councillor Reg Barry, posted the following statement on the Seaview and Nettlestone Community Facebook Page and the Nextdoor App. For those who do not have access to those pages, the statement can be found here:
From Cllr Reg Barry
Re. Vics Stores
Good afternoon,
I have had a meeting with Charles and Linda from Vic’s Stores this morning and I would like to clear up a rumour that is currently doing the rounds.
This rumour is that Charles and Linda would be pleased to have their Business ruined by the Co-op so that they could retire and turn our village shop into their retirement home.
In fact this is quite the opposite of their intentions, as they plan to have one of their sons, Richard, to join them in the family business. They plan to bring him in to the business next year to have one to one training in management for a year to 18 months. Eventually Richard will carry on the Family Business which has served our Community for the past 70 or more years. This already on the cards for February next year.
Of course they have worries over the proposed Co-op taking over the Roadside Inn. Those worries are shared by a considerable number of residents in Nettlestone and Seaview.
The Roadside Inn is registered as an Asset of Community Value and is also a valuable part of our village and community. I am sure, like me, that you would do anything you can to help support Charles and Linda at this time.
Best Regards
Reg Barry BEM
Isle of Wight Councillor for Nettlestone and Seaview