A NEW shop stocking the county’s finest food and drink is set to showcase the best of Essex.

The Essex Produce Company is opening where Spencley’s Bakery used to be, in St Marys Square, Kelvedon, on Wednesday.

Shopkeeper Fraser Ward wants it to become a focal point of the village and believes that when it comes to homegrown, locally-sourced produce, the area has plenty to shout about.

He hopes his venture will champion that fact and is joining forces with the Gazette as part of Essex County Council’s Love Local campaign.

Mr Ward, 30, said: “I can’t wait to fling the doors open and show everyone what we stock.

“I want the shop to become a focal point of the community, showcasing all the wonderful things our county has to offer.

“We’ve got a lot to shout about.

“Essex is a hotbed and people will be surprised by the range and quality we have to offer.

“My original plan was to open an online wine shop, having developed a taste for it when I was travelling in Australia.

“That was eight years ago but this has been in my head ever since. The idea has developed and expanded from there. I wanted something tangible, a physical shop, so started researching different things and learning about products and companies I didn’t even know existed.”

Gazette: Business venture - Fraser Ward

Our Love Local campaign encourages people to shop, eat, drink and visit locally and shares ways you can do it, both in person and online.

There are big benefits to supporting local businesses, including a great in-store experience for customers and consumers.

It also means you can support your community by creating jobs and pumping money into the economy, while less travel means reducing your carbon footprint.

The Essex Produce Company will stock everything from the region’s best wine, craft beer and cider to cheese, milk, meat, jam, chutney, fruit juice, hot sauces, crisps and popcorn.

“This is somewhere people can buy really nice bits to complement their weekly shops,” said Mr Ward.

“Hopefully the shop will be a draw for people to return and that, in turn, will support and promote other businesses in Kelvedon.

“Hopefully my shop can help put it on the map and lend itself to helping Kelvedon feel more vibrant, a bit like Coggeshall.”

Mr Ward is proud of his shop’s historic premises, previously occupied by the Spencley family.

“For many years they baked bread and sold it on site, making deliveries to surrounding villages,” he said.

“We’re breathing life back into the building and even going to sell fresh bread to honour its history.”

Other businesses that have previously supported Love Local are Bird & Bean café, in Frinton, Whites Farm Baby Barn shop, in White Colne, and Chelmsford-based artisan sauce company What Hot Sauce.

To find new ways to support businesses like them, visit Love Local from Essex County Council.