Local Budgens cooks up a storm

Today, 21 July, Symonds Forecourt opens on the Bath Road in Wells and is celebrating by putting on a cookery demonstration using local food from local suppliers, all to be found on the shelf at the on-site Budgens. No-one knew what the Budgens chef would cook next as he dashed round the aisles grabbing fresh produce, all to be concocted into delicious dishes in front of the live audience in store.

The launch has been much anticipated by local residents who received hand-delivered goodie bags in the run up to the grand opening. The store also held an open day a few weeks ago so the best of local producers´ products could be selected to sell in store, which was so popular queues ran out the door.

Owner Jeremy Symonds commented: "We´ve made full use of social media by creating our own Facebook page, which already has over 140 followers. We´re even using the page to give away special offers to our customers, which is going down a storm. All in all we´re overwhelmed by the support we´ve received today from suppliers and residents alike."

Local MP Tessa Munt joined the community and suppliers to celebrate the opening of the Budgens forecourt. Companies such as Emma´s Cakes, Cheddar Ales, Rose Farm chutneys and jams, Jon Thorners traditional butcher and Wraxhall wine were there, among many others to answer questions and promote the store. The local forecourt is also on the Wells list of fair-trade suppliers as it uses a selection of fair-trade products including fresh coffee, made on-site.

The 2,174 sq ft Symonds forecourt has BP pumps and also a Washtec car wash. With an investment of around a couple of million pounds into the site Jeremy Symonds is a pro when it comes to smart decisions. In addition to the Wells forecourt store Symonds has two other Budgens stores in Sherborne and Bruton as well as four Londis stores.

Opening hours are Monday to Sunday 7am to 10pm, with 14 staff being employed. The Budgens store has hot food, an in-store bakery, good to go sandwiches, 5m of frozen and 9m of chilled with four promotional ends, one of which is specifically local produce. And to create theatre in the fresh produce area fruit and vegetables are displayed in wicker baskets alongside tasting tables where customers can try before they buy

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