Royal retail success story
Correspondent • Published 26 May 2011 09:30
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Situated in the winding rural roads of Old Windsor and with the castle in the distance, the Royal Farm Shop is the only one in the country to be situated within a Royal Estate. The setting is both picturesque and regal. Driving through the prominent gates, with the undulating hills in the background, some of the shop's produce is sourced from the Windsor Estate.
Since it was opened by The Duke of Edinburgh 10 years ago, the shop has gone from strength to strength. The site was identified in 2000 and general manager Chris Murray, 54, who began his career in the meat trade, has been at the helm from the outset. He said: "Our main area is butchery and all of our meat is produced from the Royal Estates. I brought a lot of my own recipes with me when we opened the shop and my pies are still sold here today."
While some tourists make their way to the Royal Farm Shop it is not a tourist hot spot. Mr Murray said: "We have a core group of regulars who use the shop, and we rarely get coaches full of people turning up." Deputy manager Adrian Keeper added: "We hold regular events, especially in the summer, when we have a beer festival out on the courtyard or a food fair using the nearby fields. We try to make it more than just a shopping experience for locals - it's a special day out."
On entering, the first sight to greet you is shelves of chutneys, jams, spices, fresh fruit and vegetables that provide a colourful and eye-catching display. The shop stocks many of its own label goods as well as some products from the Sandringham Estate, such as apple juice. So successful, and popular, is the enterprise , that an extension to the building is currently underway.
Mr Murray said: "The Duke of Edinburgh will hopefully return to officially re-open the shop in April. The products customers find here will not be on supermarket shelves - it is all locally sourced British produce."
The shop, which has 60 members of staff is also gearing up for the Royal Wedding. Mr Murray said: "We will be open on the day, offering a free drink and a slice of cake to visitors. We will also stock a special beer from the Windsor and Eton brewery called 'Knot', which links in nicely with tying the knot, and we will sell a Royal Collection memento containing a mug and a plate, but we won't be going over the top."
He concluded: "I absolutely love what I do. I've always had a real passion for cooking and I don't think you could do this kind of job without a love of food." The farm shop gets a steady footfall of visitors each year and is kept running by a loyal and committed team of staff.
Lynne Wareham, 58, from Old Windsor, has worked behind the delicatessen counter for over four years. She said: "I used to help my grandmother in her shop when I was younger and I really enjoyed it. I worked in offices for years before deciding to do something different, and I really love it here."
Gary Moore, 52, from Hersham, has worked as a butcher all his life and has an allotment where he grows potatoes, asparagus, onions, peas, runner beans and tomatoes. He said: "I absolutely love growing my own veg. If I were to offer anyone a top tip, it would be make sure the soil is spot on - that is key. If the soil is spot on, the veg will be spot on."
The shop is open from 9am-5pm Mondays to Saturdays and 10am-4pm on Sundays. For more information, call 01753 623 800.
This article appeared in Reading Chronicle 30 Mar 11
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