Landmark Lambourn store up for sale

Forty-five years ago this month a young villager named Ros Couch took over as manager at the local hardware store.
He never left - and, in August 1988, he bought it lock, stock and barrel.
Over the decades the Universal Stores became a fixture of Lambourn village life and a community hub.
Mr Couch, aged 68, who has two grown up daughters with his wife, Christine, said: “I’ve had a wonderful time here but we’ve decided to leave while we can still enjoy life.
“But I was born and bred in Lambourn, so we won’t be leaving the village.”
Mr Couch is immersed in village life; he is chariman of the carnival committee and co-ordinates the bell ringing in the church. He said: “I was a youth club leader before buying the shop. People ask how I find time to do everything but I love to be involved in what’s going on in the village.
“I’ve watch the village grow in size by about two thirds and I remember when horse boxes and vans were built out the back. (Queen singer)Freddie Mercury’s touring couch was built out there.”
The store is renowned for delivering to the infirm and for finding and ordering hard-to-get items.
Mr Couch said: “We treat everyone the same, whether they spend two halfpennies or whether they’re a millionaire.”
In addition to part time staff, another familiar face at the stores is Angela Troop.
Mr Couch said: “Angela is my right hand woman and started work here three weeks before I did. We make a good team.”
She said: “The shop is an important part of village life. People are always leaving things here to be collected and we always help sell raffle tickets or concert tickets - you name it and we get involved in it.”
Mr Couch said he hoped to sell the store as a going concern.