PUB landlord Glyn Crosthwaite says he is keen to replace Avening's only village shop with one of his own.

The Cross Inn licensee, 41, is busy trying to re-open a newsagents and basic stores for the community after its last grocers closed almost a fortnight ago.

"We have a garage at the end of our building. It is pretty much wasted space. Hopefully, within the next three or four weeks, we will be opening a small convenience shop," Mr Crosthwaite said.

So far, officials at the Cotswold District Council planning authority haven't raised any objections, nor have the owners of The Cross which Mr Crosthwaite holds on a lease.

"Everything is looking good so far," he said. "We used the old shop for our newspapers and it was always handy, say if we ran out of apple sauce during serving Sunday lunch."

Avening sub-post office also shut when the last stores closed.

Mr Crosthwaite doesn't feel his premises are big enough to also accommodate a post office.

He is, however, keen to gain some start-up advice and support from Prince Charles' The Pub is the Hub charity.

"I've written to them, although I haven't heard back yet.

"The Prince only lives up the road in Tetbury after all, so maybe he'd like to help."

A Post Office spokeswoman said the company would still welcome applications from anyone interested in reopening a counter in Avening.

Avening Parish Council clerk Deborah Cook said members had heard at their latest meeting that a villager who'd investigated running the post office had unfortunately been deterred by the start-up costs.

"They were looking into putting the post office into the social club but it would have cost £6,000," said Ms Cook.

"But we won't be beaten. We are certainly going to try and figure something out."

Her members are now to ask the PO for a mobile office, either temporarily or permanently, and ask bus firms for a service to the alternative Nailsworth post office.

Avening Corner Shop and post office was closed by its owner Clarissa Mitchell, who blamed a sudden hike in her mortgage and lack of community support.

Mrs Mitchell had warned earlier this month that Avening villagers faced a "use it or lose it" situation with the shop.