THE corner shop has always been at the heart of any community.

Long before the giant supermarkets arrived on the scene, people would use the local shop as a focal point, as a social centre.

And today, there is still a vital role for that particular branch of retailing.

Last week we revealed that the family of Gurmail Singh, murdered in his shop, planned to re-open the business. He had run the shop for six years and become a vital heartbeat of the community in Cowcliffe.

Today we focus on a different business in a different community but one just as dear to the hearts of those who live there and those who shop there.

The Green Valley Grocer in Slaithwaite was set up exactly a year ago when a previous enterprise had to close.

But this was a shop with a difference; run by the local community, owned by the local community, for the local community. And how refreshing it is to report on their first anniversary that the business has seen the customer base grow to and that it has turned in a small profit, rather than the expected loss. Good for them.