Village Shop - Melbourne Street
Village Shop - Melbourne Street


Occupying a central position on the main road through the village, opposite the village pub, the village shop is a well-known local landmark. It was built on the site of Hillworth House in 1906 and retains many classic Edwardian features. It has a well-proportioned symmetrical frontage with a prominent stone date plaque at the apex of its front roof dormer. It also retains the original slate roof; wooden sash windows on the first floor; large display windows at the ground floor; central entrance door; and double-scrolled mouldings either side of the signage board.

A sympathetic extension was built on its western side in 2007 between the shop and the original entrance to the Jubilee Hall, where once elegant ladies took refreshments at Marsh’s Tea Gardens. This was to make room for a new post office counter when the shop took over that function from the ‘Old Post Office’ next door. Sadly a prominent metal fire escape (to the flats above the shop) and air conditioning units have been added in a less sympathetic manner.

However, despite this, and the clutter of modern-day sales and marketing features, the original features lend it a faded elegance that makes it a well-loved building at the centre of the village.

It’s official name has changed over the years. Originally owned by Frank S Marsh, it is currently run by Central Stores. However it is still known by many as Hillworth Stores or even by some as Belbins (as it was known in the inter-war years). Before it was modernised some villagers can remember it having a meat counter and a hair salon at the back.


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Bratton History Association.

The Bratton History Association aims to provide all those curious about local history with an opportunity to meet, exchange ideas, and discover more about the history of Bratton and Wiltshire. Activities include monthly meetings, talks by professional historians, visits to places of interest to historians, and our own local history project.

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