Blackpool woman's fresh green business

Sarah Fox has opened the doors of her new business, PL Greens on Mere Road, at the former Savoy site, and is already building up a number of regular customers.

Sarah who believes in using seasonal and local goods sources her greens from an organic farm in Pilling and gets her bread from Topping Street Bakery.

And although the cafe is vegan, most of her customers are not, with many older people coming in to get their quota of fresh vegetables.

She said: “I have had a varied career from building houses, being a postman, doing gardening to working in the education sector.

“However, after my last contract came to an end I applied for lots of different jobs with no success. This disappointment made me start to think about and explore other options including working for myself.

“I have been vegetarian for 35 years and thought that there was an opportunity to widen the choice in Blackpool for people looking for vegan and vegetarian menus or who simply just love fresh, good food!

I didn’t want this to be just a vegetarian cafe, it is for everyone who likes fresh produce. Many of my customers are older people who struggle to source fresh veg so they come in for lunchtime soup and then get a salad to go with their piece of fish for tea.

“Either they have to buy too much at the supermarket and it goes to waste, or it is expensive for just a small amount.”

PL Greens offers a range including: salads, soups, sweet treats and hot food and Sarah prides herself on buying from local suppliers.

Sarah, added: “I realised that if I didn’t try now that I would be kicking myself in the future. Setting up the business has been an exciting challenge.

"I got some great advice and valuable support from the business start-up experts from the Get Started team at Blackpool Council. I would recommend that anyone who is considering opening a business should have a chat with the team.”

Coun Mark Smith, Cabinet Member Responsible for Regeneration, Enterprise and Economic Development, said: “It is always goods news when people set up new businesses in Blackpool and also choose to use suppliers in the region. It leads to the creation of a dynamic community.

“Our business support team has helped many start-up and developing companies in the town. I wish Sarah all the best on her exciting new journey.”