Swede smell of success? (From Gazette Series)

Swede smell of success?

A GREENGROCER'S is coming to Wotton-under-Edge, with Harvest Store opening in Long Street in the former Red Cross charity shop, in the third week of January.

Enthusiast Nick Wadey is throwing his heart and soul into the new venture. He said: "I knew nothing about fruit and veg other than eating it but a need for a greengrocer's in the town is obvious."

Since being made redundant from his previous job on October 13, Mr Wadey has set himself the task of becoming familiar with his new trade. He has made many early morning trips to markets in Bristol to learn about quality and price of fruit and vegetables, made comparisons with supermarket prices and developed contacts with growers and suppliers.

Roger Grimes, from Forest Fruit Farm, Wotton, will be supplying soft fruit in the summer, and the Greys at Symonds Hall Farm are the source for potatoes.

Mr Wadey said: "I'd like to stock as much local produce as possible. It would be really good if other suppliers could contact me."

A special feature of the new shop will be a line in organic food, grown specially for Harvest Store.

Ken Brown is dedicating some acreage of his organic farm in Waterley Bottom, land certified by the Soil Association, to growing crops for the shop.

It is hoped someone will be employed, for about ten hours a week, to farm this land.

Mr Wadey said: "Obviously, this produce won't be ready straight away but potentially it could be food from the field to the fork in a day.

"We will be highlighting food that is in season but we'll also stock what people want, of course."

Caterers, including The Royal Oak and Falcon pubs and Bunters caf will be customers with regular orders.

Nick and his wife, Gail, moved to Oatground, Wotton, four years ago, accomodation provided by British Oxygen, Mr Wadey's employers in Patchway.

The couple were then posted to Germany and on their return, expecting twin babies, they chose to settle in Wotton and were able to buy the house where they first lived.

The twins now attend Blue Coat Pre-School Unit, and have a 20-month-old sister.

Looking forward to the future, Mr Wadey added: "People have been so helpful and encouraging here, including the landlord of the building, Polly Pyatt who has so much experience of the fruit and veg trade, Wotton Baptist Church members and the ladies who will be working here."

Wotton Traders Forum spokesman Gareth Kitchen said: "We're really pleased about this news. Wotton has been waiting a long time for a new greengrocer's.

"It will help people do their shopping conveniently and locally without them having to resort to going out of town by car."

Picton's, the last dedicated greengrocery in Wotton, closed more than a year ago.