Greengrocer and café operator Bill's Produce Store is planning a major expansion programme to capitalise on the popularity of its 'farmers' market' format.
The East Sussex operator, which runs two stores in Lewes and Brighton, is looking at potential sites across south east England, The Grocer can reveal.
Owner Bill Collison has identified Chichester, Horsham, Canterbury, Eastbourne, Tunbridge Wells, Guildford and London as possible locations, although no formal bids have been submitted.
The company's financial clout has been significantly strengthened since August, when Richard Caring, owner of The Ivy, became a partner in it. His involvement also gave the business the opportunity to raise its profile in the capital.
"We are looking to grow the business significantly," Collison said. "We are looking at a number of sites, but want to find ones that are like those we have already."
Opening in new locations would take time as the company would have to set up supply arrangements with local growers, Collison said.
As well as providing locally sourced fruit and veg, Bill's sells flowers and hampers, and offers
catering services to go. It also has a wide-ranging café menu, and that versatility had helped the company remain popular through the economic downturn, Collison claimed.
"We're just as busy as we've always been," he said. "We're slightly sheltered from it [the credit crunch] on the south coast."
Shoppers liked the fact that Bill's was a community business that was affordable and fun, Collison added, pointing out that the public was now more interested than ever in local and seasonal produce.
"We try to be an everyday farmers' market that is visually beautiful," he said.
"Buying local is a romantic lifestyle. These days it's fashionable to have a farm, or grow your own. The value of the pound has also meant people are looking more to local."
The East Sussex operator, which runs two stores in Lewes and Brighton, is looking at potential sites across south east England, The Grocer can reveal.
Owner Bill Collison has identified Chichester, Horsham, Canterbury, Eastbourne, Tunbridge Wells, Guildford and London as possible locations, although no formal bids have been submitted.
The company's financial clout has been significantly strengthened since August, when Richard Caring, owner of The Ivy, became a partner in it. His involvement also gave the business the opportunity to raise its profile in the capital.
"We are looking to grow the business significantly," Collison said. "We are looking at a number of sites, but want to find ones that are like those we have already."
Opening in new locations would take time as the company would have to set up supply arrangements with local growers, Collison said.
As well as providing locally sourced fruit and veg, Bill's sells flowers and hampers, and offers
catering services to go. It also has a wide-ranging café menu, and that versatility had helped the company remain popular through the economic downturn, Collison claimed.
"We're just as busy as we've always been," he said. "We're slightly sheltered from it [the credit crunch] on the south coast."
Shoppers liked the fact that Bill's was a community business that was affordable and fun, Collison added, pointing out that the public was now more interested than ever in local and seasonal produce.
"We try to be an everyday farmers' market that is visually beautiful," he said.
"Buying local is a romantic lifestyle. These days it's fashionable to have a farm, or grow your own. The value of the pound has also meant people are looking more to local."
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