Small business 100 │HM treasury reception │Small Business Saturday │Second birthday │New store to open at Whitstable’s Horsebridge arts and community centre
Produced in Kent member Whitstable Produce Store had an exciting start to December.
On Thursday 3 December, the Store was the focus of the national publicity campaign for Small Business Saturday following its selection as a member of the 2015 Small Business 100. The Store used the opportunity to feature its regular suppliers in a series of mini portraits online There was a great response on social media with customers, producers, suppliers and fellow Whitstable traders, all joining the Store to promote Kentish produce on the day.
On Friday 4 December, owner Steve Jones attended the launch of Small Business Saturday at a reception at HM Treasury hosted by the Chancellor, George Osborne. The Chancellor praised the “brilliant entrepreneurs and firms we have in this country” emphasizing their importance. Steve was told about the reception a few weeks in advance but had to keep it secret – even from the staff – until the day itself.
Then Saturday 5 December – Small Business Saturday and Whitstable Produce Store’s second birthday. The day started with a breakfast interview on BBC Radio Kent and included the unveiling of Whitstable Produce Store – and Steve – recreated in cake, a photo-shoot with local media and visits by no fewer than three Whitstable authors who dropped in to sign books, admire the cake and have a coffee and a chat. It closed with the judging of the Store’s Hamper Competition – won by a regular customer – and some Kentish bubbles for the hardworking staff.
And finally … but most importantly of all, the Store made a major announcement for 2016:
WHITSTABLE PRODUCE STORE AT THE HORSEBRIDGE
January 2016 sees the launch of Whitstable Produce Store at the Horsebridge – a new venue alongside the existing Harbour Street Store. Just like the original, Whitstable Produce Store at the Horsebridge will be serving fresh food and drink from great Kent producers and suppliers to eat in or take away, serving breakfast, morning coffee, light lunches, afternoon tea, cakes & bakes, juices & smoothies and wines & beers.
Whitstable Produce Store at the Horsebridge opens in early January and will be open seven days a week.
All this activity led to several media mentions for the Store – and for Kent’s great produce – including
BBC Radio Kent Saturday Breakfast (8.08am)
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p038dyf3
Whitstable Times
http://www.canterburytimes.co.uk/8203-Whitstable-native-Horsebridge-Centre-caf/story-28320957-detail/story.html
Whitstable Gazette (not online, photo attached)
ft.com (online but behind wall, photo attached)
guardian online
https://witness.theguardian.com/assignment/565dcd76e4b0ef1f44c55b34/1829040
