Pictured above: (l-r) Amanda Dawson, marketing and
promotions manager for The Trentham Estate and Susie Keenan of
Brown and Green
The unique and inspiring Shopping Village at St. Modwen's
Trentham Estate and Gardens is continuing to attract retailers with
vibrant new foodstore Brown and Green.
Trentham Shopping Village was first opened in 2004 as part of
the major tourist and leisure destination that St. Modwen has
created through the restoration of the former 725 acre country
estate, gardens and park.
Fruit farmers Susie and Euan Keenan have signed a 10 year lease
for the 4,600 sq ft unit to establish their first store under the
'Brown and Green' banner, working in partnership with retail
specialists Blue Diamond Group, operators of the highly successful
Trentham Garden Centre.
"We are delighted that Brown and Green is adding to the retail
mix at Trentham this spring," commented Mike Herbert, regional
director for St. Modwen. "Brown and Green's offering
perfectly complements our environmental ethos and will bring a
wholesome range of local, ethical and artisan foods to the Trentham
Estate which we believe will have widespread appeal to our
visitors. The store's focus on locally sourced produce is
very much in harmony with St Modwen's sustainability policy."
Already successfully running the award winning Shepherd's Farm
Shop at Newent in Gloucestershire, the Keenan's latest retail
venture, Brown and Green, will offer a range of local, regional and
seasonal goods. The store provides a fresh and meal inspiring
shopping environment with a range of foods for all diets. Susie has
personally selected each product, and is always looking for unique
and local producers whose food customers can put their trust in.
Susie Keenan explains:
"As a farmer's daughter and country girl my passions have always
been great local produce and the people who make it. I also want to
make our customers' food shopping experience and satisfaction as
good as it can be. Euan and I have established Brown and Green to
bring this ethos to the market, offering great food and drink that
has been personally selected with care.
"Sourcing local produce brings with it many benefits - fresher
seasonal produce, fewer food miles, support for the local economy
and a better knowledge of where and how our food is made. Many of
our products are made by hand, by individuals we know personally,
who are truly passionate about their work and their customers'
enjoyment and satisfaction. We hope that in turn Brown and Green
will inspire our customers to try and taste new products within the
friendly, informative and mouth-watering environment that we are
bringing to Trentham."
The Shopping Village at the Trentham Estate has continued to go
from strength to strength despite last year's market downturn with
increased footfall, strong trading and general improvements in
turnover. Fast becoming renowned for its array of specialist
food and drink retailers, the Shopping Village includes Vom Fass,
the award winning Pieminister, Cadwalader's Ice Cream Cafe, Mad
about Fudge and Peggy Anne's Old Fashioned Sweet Shop, plus a range
of dining opportunities including the stunning Italian Garden
Tearoom.
The unique location of the Shopping Village within the Trentham
Estate and Gardens has also made it a growing specialist
destination for those looking to shop and experience the wider
attractions at the Estate as Mike Herbert continues:
"Being part of a major tourist destination is one of the
Shopping Village's greatest assets, and particularly in the current
climate has enabled Trentham to maintain strong trading patterns.
This has been recognised by big brands such as Trespass and
L'OCCITANE, whose swift take up of available units over recent
months has maintained our very low vacancy rate. Our ability to
attract quality businesses such as Brown and Green is further
enhancing our retail offering, providing customers with a dynamic
shopping destination that boasts unique individual retailers
alongside popular national and international brands."
The Shopping Village at Trentham Estate and Gardens currently
has 60 retailers ranging from Edinburgh Woollen Mill and locally
based Portmeirion, to leisure clothing specialists such as Tog 24,
Animal and Weird Fish, alongside a range of cafe and restaurant
facilities plus the Trentham Garden Centre.
Brown and Green is open now, with an official launch event being
held on 5 June.