Threatened Downley shop supported by local club (From Bucks Free Press)

Threatened Downley shop supported by local club

10:30am Wednesday 8th April 2009 in Search By Alex Hayes

A DOWNLEY club is using produce from a threatened shop this evening in a bid to prove its worth to the community.

The Downley Wine and Beer club are holding the Starlight Discovery evening, giving members the chance to sample some of the rarer tipples stocked at the threatened store.

Wycombe District Council is threatening to enforce planning rules at the convenience store in High Street because a permanent stand set up by owner Emrullah Kaya breaches regulations. It is feared this will put the store's future at risk.

Melanie Ashton, who helps run the club, said she had been surprised at the “astonishing” range of beers and wines stocked at the shop.

She said: “I was really shocked when I went in and looked at the amount of variety they have on offer there. Usually at a store like that you may expect ten real ales, but they must have nearly a hundred.

“It is an important part of the community. Downley has three distinct shopping areas, but this is the only store in the real hear of the village an it helps to draw people in to the area.

“Hopefully this evening will help show people what a great range of produce they have on their doorstep.”

Produce being sampled this evening are some of the rarer tipples stocked by the store.

The Beers being tasted are an organic nettle beer, a Turkish pilsner, and four English ales ranging from 2.5 per cent to 7.2 per cent from the Badger, Ridleys, Wadworths, and Brakspear breweries.

Wines on offer are an Italian rose, an Australian and a Turkish white, and three white wines.

The meeting takes place between 8pm-10.30pm at the Old School Community Centre, School Close, Downley, and new members are welcome to attend.