The Greene King pub, which has been run by Robin and Terri Hunter for 12 years – winning accolades such as the 2017 Derbyshire Life Pub of the Year award and being listed in the 2018 editions of The Michelin Guide and Harden’s Best UK Restaurants guide in that time – will sell speciality food, fresh produce and dairy items, as well as takeaway meals, six days a week.
The Derbyshire deli stocks local fruit and vegetables from Field Supplies in nearby Etwall – along with some grown by local customers; home-baked goods such as bread, cakes and pastries, as well as pork pies by Owen Taylor Butchers of Leabrooks in Alfreton; ice cream from Daltons in Wootton and local fish supplier RG Morrison and Sons.
Hunter, of the pub that is located in Shirley, said: “We didn’t set out to be a corner shop – we are a specialist food shop where you can buy fresh local essentials.
“We have already had a lovely reaction to this new venture from our local residents and customers and we want to thank Hugh and Pub is The Hub for their support and advice, along with the very welcome contribution from the grant.”
Hugh Wilson from Pub is The Hub added: “Robin and Terri have created a very special new service for local people and visitors in an unused outbuilding that complements the pub while employing two more local people and providing an outlet for local suppliers.
“They must be applauded for their high-quality scheme.”