These days this store operates as a small village shop with a branch of the Post Office located behind it (off Orsett Road) but originally this was just a small shop with an adjoining house on the south side owned by the shopkeeper. Gradually, through the years both properties were combined thus enlarging the retail area, and allowing more space for the commodities which they sell, i.e. grocery, greengrocery, confectionery, tobacco, newspapers, and clothing. 

 

Over the years the shop has been occupied by Wilks, Hartley, Orris, Sheppards and CM Gooderham. When Wilks had the shop he sold only greengrocery, confectionary and tobacco. Before his time it was a saddler's shop, a reminder of the needs of the horse and cart era.