First look inside Poplar garden centre's food hall

Poplar Nurseries, in Marks Tey, has opened its new 3,000sqft food hall next to the garden centre entrance.

The food hall, which opened last week, has created two new jobs and aims to support local producers.

The larger premises will allow them to serve up more homemade goods alongside ready meals, fruit and vegetables, fresh fish and a deli counter.

Mandy Cowan, manager of Poplar Food Hall, said: “What started off as a small farm shop has really grown in popularity as our homemade offerings have become real favourites with our customer base, and we wanted to expand on that success.

Poplar Nurseries, in Marks Tey, has opened its new 3,000sqft food hall

"We’ve slowly run out of space inside the farm shop over the years as demand has grown and it was time for us to move to a bigger building that gives us room to expand.”

Poplar Nurseries, in Marks Tey, has opened its new 3,000sqft food hall

“All of our homemade treats are made using local ingredients, as much as possible, and we aim to keep supporting British suppliers moving forward.

Poplar Nurseries, in Marks Tey, has opened its new 3,000sqft food hall

"There’s really incredible local produce out there ready to be enjoyed and we want our customers to experience that and learn to shop more on their doorstep.”

The garden centre unveiled its plans to relocate the food hall last year before the pandemic hit.