Fleur Lewis, Partner Head of Food & Drink and Ally Allington, Truro Partner had the pleasure of meeting with the amazing Ruth Huxley at the wonderfully independent, Great Cornish Food Store in Truro. A grocery store like no other.
The Great Cornish Food Store is owned and managed by Ruth Huxley. Ruth is also the Managing Director of the store’s sister company Cornwall Food and Drink, a network organisation that helps to develop and promote the food and drink industry within Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly.
Now you may be surprised to see a well stocked farm shop sharing the entrance with a huge supermarket retailer, Waitrose on this Duchy owned site. But the concept seems to complement both brands giving consumers easy access to locally sourced products whilst being able to park and do their weekly shop, something that previous research by Ruth had identified as a need.
Whilst research, analysis and advice has been the backbone of Ruth’s career running a shop was never on her radar, In fact she vowed “never to touch retail”. But the planning condition for this 5,000 square foot site stated that only local produce was to be sold on the site and hence, in the interest of Cornwall’s food and drink industry and indeed the whole community Ruth didn’t want this opportunity to be lost.
Within 6 months of saying “Yes”, the Great Cornish Food Store was open. Starting the store from scratch with no funding, even for someone with a wealth of experience like Ruth was no mean feat. But it is clear that her vision has shone through to make this the beautiful store it is today.
The business was growing well until COVID hit in early 2020 where Ruth shut for 6 weeks to assess the market and restrictions. Like many other businesses this gave her the opportunity to press stop and not being one to stand still she did a major refurbishment during this time whilst still helping producers looking to get product to market during lockdown.
When she reopened again she was a welcome stop for record summer visitors to the area stocking up on delicious holiday food or taking back memories from sunny days in Cornwall. In fact Ruth says she sold more lobster and Camel Valley wine in Summer 2020 than she had ever before.
Sustainability is also very much on Ruth’s mind. The store has its own kitchen cooking up delicious deli products and ensuring that food waste is kept to an absolute minimum. Equally plastic is kept to a minimum with paper bags used throughout the store. She also only works with local producers that collectively make such an important contribution to the South West economy.
So what now for Ruth. Well there is clearly huge potential for The Great Cornish Food brand and Ruth hints at other exciting opportunities as well as key people hires in the coming months as confidence returns to the consumer.
At the end of the day says Ruth it is all about creating that “customer experience” by focusing on both the customer and her loyal employees within The Great Cornish Food store family who create that environment.
By continuing to create a friendly shopping environment and well know brand for customers looking for local food and knowledge at an easily accessible site in Cornwall this is clearly a brand to watch.