Eco food store is a little closer to opening doors

A shop founded on community spirit and an environmental conscience will provide local suppliers with a place to sell their goods when it is launched later this year.

The Real Food Store Exeter is expected to open on Paris Street in the city centre by December, after nearly 200 people pledged to support the venture.

Just over 170 'members' have bought shares in the business, ranging in value from £100 to £1,000, helping to generate £80,000 of the £130,000 needed to launch the store.

Organisers now hope the final £50,000 will be found before the end of September to allow the eco-friendly shop to open in time for the Christmas period.

David Mezzetti, one of three founding directors of the Exeter Food Ltd company behind the idea, said: "This is about localising the food chain. We are reducing food miles, doing something which I would describe as 'sane economics' by producing food in the county rather than sending it away to be processed before coming back down to the South West.

"It is also giving local producers a real shop window to sell their goods. We have a wide range of products and believe there is a serious market for it."

The Real Food Store will have an integral bakery and cafe and aims to source at least half of its product range from Devon growers and small food producers.

However, unlike most business start-ups, Real Food is a community benefit scheme, which raises capital investment from a large number of people, families, organisations or other community groups, who buy shares in the business in return for potential long-term financial gain.

Mr Mezzetti added: "A lot of people have supported this project and believe in it. It is now up to us to deliver.

"If this gets off the ground it could have a really positive impact on our local producers and suppliers, as well as the community members who use it. The environmental benefits of locally produced goods and reduced food miles are part of the driving force behind this project."

People wanting to find out more about the opportunities to invest can visit the Real Food website www.realfoodexeter.co. uk or email info@realfood exeter.co.uk.

The Real Food store team is looking for about £150,000 to start up the business.

Shareholders (known as 'members') will enjoy some unique in-store benefits.

The first members' meeting discussing the future of the project and its current status will take place on Thursday, August 26 at St Sidwell's Community Centre in Exeter from 7.30pm.

Read the online article here.