Villagers raised almost half a million pounds to save their much-loved “ Open All Hours ” ironmongers from closure.
Havards has been a high street stalwart for 140 years, stocking everything from household goods to DIY supplies and fishing gear.
So when the owners said they were selling, the community sprang into action.
A share offer was launched and residents pledged cash to make it the first community-owned hardware store in Britain.
Delighted fundraiser Clive Hooper said: “This last week has been frantic with contracts, legal conference calls, IT, marketing, job interviews and paperwork in preparation to exchange contracts and move to ownership.
"I’d like to thank everyone who has invested in keeping this last traditional ironmongers trading here.”
Like Arkwright’s store in BBC sitcom Open All Hours starring Ronnie Barker, Havards sells everything.
It dates back to 1881 and has survived the threat from giant DIY stores to serve locals in Newport, Pembs (pop 1,200).
Families were offered £200 shares in the stone-fronted store described as a “lifeblood of the village from days now long gone”.
Mr Hooper said: “This is an opportunity for residents as well as visitors and friends to be a part of the future of the town and help preserve a unique example of a shop that is able to provide almost everything right on your doorstep.”
The £445,000 fund will be used to buy the building and stock and to provide working capital.
Mr Hooper pledged Havards would stay at the heart of the community.
News of the villagers’ triumph reached as far as the Welsh parliament. Leading a debate on community businesses, Plaid Cymru member Cefin Campbell praised the effort.
He added: “I visited Havards and was blown away by the enthusiasm of the campaign group.
“Local efforts to fund-raise have been nothing short of remarkable.
“And the level of funding secured has been truly incredible.”
