Budgen’s franchisee Andrew Thornton has offered an alternative vision of how the 190-store food store chain could look.
Thornton’s relaunched Belsize Park (London) store sees a doubling of the number of organic products listed and 20 new lines from local suppliers, taking the number of small and local suppliers to almost 100.
Thornton has placed community engagement as the heart of the store’s proposition. He says: “I really believe that food stores should be a central part of our community, just as food is such a central part of our lives. For me, being a more sustainable retailer involves embracing your community and being environmentally aware.”
“We believe that what we offer is unique. Where else can you walk to a local independent store, get pretty much everything you need under one roof – and have it delivered free. Our mix of local food from small producers and the big brands means we cover the whole spectrum of needs. Our ‘Made in London’ range includes almost 30 suppliers from London, almost half of them from Haringey or Camden – you can’t get more local than that!”
The relaunched Belsize Park store features a new butchery counter, supplied by Essex producer Rare Breed Meat Company, a cheese counter and fresh fish counter. There’s an expanded wine and beer section, with more emphasis on small vineyards and producers. And the store’s Post Office has been upgraded to ‘main’ status.
The new store also incorporates the latest technology – including low power LED lighting, chiller cabinets retro-fitted with energy saving doors – to minimize its carbon footprint.
