VILLAGERS are hoping for even more ‘joie de vivre’ in Gisburn as a new deli and cafe opens later this month.

The Delicious Deli and Café will be opened by fictional Menton resident Claude, who featured in the tongue-in-cheek advert about the village.

Gisburn has come under the national spotlight as French car giant Renault has featured it in a series of TV ads, depicting the sun-drenched Côte d’Azur in stark contrast to its dismal portrayal of Gisburn.

Frenchman ‘Claude’ tried to introduce some joie-de vivre, organising a festival and giving away a car in a raffle to a lucky local.

Earlier this year there was concern about the state of Gisburn after the last remaining pub closed. It has since re-opened.

In addition, three other pubs have closed in recent years, as well as a chip shop and general store.

But now the former post office in Park View, which featured in the ads, is being given a new lease of life by long-term residents Maxine Bridge and Sharon Smalley.

The pair, who are also hoping to open a part-time post office in the premises, said they want to bring back ‘community spirit’ to the village, which has experienced a spate of shop and pub closures in recent years.

Maxine Bridge, a former clerk to Gisburn Parish Council, said: “The closure of the post office in spring was very sad and it concerned us both that the village was losing such a vital service.

“I am hoping that this new shop and cafe will bring a sense of community into the village and become a meeting place for elderly people and even schoolchildren.

“We are aiming to stock the daily essentials together with as much local produce as possible.”

The Mayor of the Ribble Valley, Coun Lois Rimmer, will also attend the ceremony on October 23 at 11am.