Blackpool couple hoping new shop will bear fruit

Cameron and Debbie Reid, are bringing local fruit and veg back to Whitegate Drive in the premises formerly occupied by Crossleys.

The 41-year-olds decided to take the plunge when the unit became available late last year to launch Reid’s Greengrocer.

Former Collegiate student Debbie said: “We have both been on the market stalls for quite a while and I went to the Optician’s at Graham Robinson and noticed the shop next door was available, so I asked Graham about it and we went from there.

“I was on the market at Fleetwood, selling underwear, and Cameron sold plants at Fleetwood, Chorley, so we have a lot of retail experience.

“Cameron still does Poulton market on Mondays.

“This shop used to be a grocers when I was growing up in Oxford Road and I have always thought the high street should have local shops.

“We decided to open as a green grocers but with plants too, as you need to do something different to the supermarkets.

“We have gone for the traditional look, like a farm shop and have traditional style produce such as Hawkshead relishes and jams and Mr Fitzpatrick cordials.”

Cameron, who went to Fleetwood High School, said: “We try to source as much as we can locally.

“We get the plants from local nurseries, Out Rawcliffe, Garstang and Preston, tomatoes from Blackpool and potatoes from Kirkham.

“The eggs are from just down the road too.

“I spend a couple of hours setting up the display in the mornings with wooden apple crates and more than an hour taking it all down again at the end of the day. I really enjoy it.

“We have different plants every day and try to have some unusual items that you can’t get locally.”

Debbie added: “It has gone well so far and we think it is important to have independents on our high streets.”

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