A family-run convenience store at the heart of Fenstanton is seeing an overwhelming show of support from local residents after its owner revealed that Huntingdonshire District Council told him to switch off the store's refrigeration equipment following a noise investigation.
Amit Puntambekar, who runs the long-established Ash's Shop Nisa Local in Fenstanton, said the decision came as a shock and could affect the shop's ability to provide chilled and frozen products to local customers.
Within hours of sharing the news on social media, dozens of villagers flooded the comments section with messages of support, praising the business and urging the council to find a solution that would allow the store to continue serving the community.
In a Facebook post, Puntambekar apologised to residents and said he felt he had "let everyone down" after being informed by environmental health officers that the business may have breached a planning condition relating to refrigeration noise.
The retailer said environmental health officers believed a planning condition had been breached and had requested that refrigeration equipment be switched off to prevent what was described as "serious residential harm".
However, Puntambekar said the business's own data indicated it remained compliant and confirmed that an independent noise specialist had been appointed to review the findings.
The post triggered a wave of support from local residents, generating around 90 comments, while a follow-up update announcing the appointment of an independent noise engineer attracted more than 85 additional responses, and counting, along with thousands of reactions and shares.
Many comments focused less on the technical dispute and more on the role the store and the Puntambekar family have played within village life over several decades.
"You have the backing of the whole village and the wider community," wrote one resident. "Ash's has been on that corner for longer than I can remember. I even remember your dad serving in the little garage during the refurbishment."
Others highlighted the business's importance as both a local service and employer.
"We can contact the relevant authorities as a community to express our support and our need to have your services in a small little village," commented another resident. "So many people rely on you, and not just customers, you are a major employer in our village."
Several residents recalled the family's long history of serving Fenstanton, including periods when the shop continued trading despite refurbishment work and also its contribbution during the Covid lockdown.
"Your mum and dad have worked so hard," commented one resident. "I remember the shop before the refit. They still served the village from the outbuilding at Crown and Pipes."
Others questioned whether the refrigeration equipment was causing a significant disturbance, with some comparing the noise to nearby traffic.
"The amount of support on here alone from our great community is testament to how you, your family and great local business is thought of," wrote one. "We wish you all the best and hope common sense will prevail."
Anothe resident commented, "I cannot believe someone has complained, this shop provides a great service to our whole village! Its shocking that we loose some much needed provisions!"
Another resident wrote, "In 18 years I've lived in this village noone complained why now it isn't even that loud standing next to it. There's more things in life to worry about than that."
Meanwhile, Puntambekar said he remains committed to working with the council to resolve the issue and has put contingency plans in place to ensure the store can continue serving residents while the matter is investigated further.
"We will strive to work with HDC and I'm sure the feeling is mutual so we can become fully operational again," he wrote.
The strength of the response reflects the unique position many village convenience stores occupy within their communities. Beyond providing groceries and essential services, they often act as employers, community hubs and longstanding family businesses with deep local roots.
At the time of writing, the retailer was awaiting the findings of an independent noise assessment.
Huntingdonshire District Council was reached out for more information on the matter.