Supporting local producers has been at the heart of Gloucester Services ever since the vision of creating somewhere for motorists to stop and sample what the area has to offer was first put forward by residents.
You might already know that over 130 producers based within 30 miles have their products available from the M5 services, and in the last quarter of 2023 we at GGT were delighted to introduce and support four new producers from the communities we work alongside.
Hot new product in the deli
Our most recent addition in mid-December was Shakera Catering, after we tasted her world-class samosas at The Friendship Café in the Barton area of Gloucester and knew they’d be perfect for the Gloucester Services Farmshop deli.
Shakera, who has lived in Gloucester since moving here from India in 1998, learnt to cook from her mother and grandmother and now has help from her whole family to run her new business – Shakera Catering. Her products include Punjabi Potato and Pea, wheat free vegetable and the fabulous ring doughnut samosa. After working closely with Clare from GGT and Westmorland Buyer Alex, the samosas have been flying out of the deli and sold over 1,300 units in the first three weeks.
“Working with Gloucester Services has been an incredible journey for my samosa and catering business. The process of becoming a new producer was seamless, and the enthusiasm and care shown by the team has truly made a difference. Seeing my samosas become a hit at Gloucester Services has not only boosted my confidence but also opened doors for future possibilities. I am grateful for the opportunity to be working with Gloucester Services who value local producers, and I’m excited about the prospect of expanding my business with their continued support.”
Shakera Ussenbai
Festive decorations give a new producer wings
In the same building as The Friendship Café in Barton, Gloucester, is the Emma Willis Sewing Studio, who we’d met before and been in awe of both the skills and the sense of community in the room. Run by Aysha Randera, women of all faiths and backgrounds meet their weekly to sew, crochet and share friendship.
We saw some of the beautiful items they were handcrafting and knew we needed to introduce them to our colleagues at Westmorland, and a few months later a collaboration was born that saw the women produce over 600 artisan decorations – including hand sewn birds made from recycled saris and delicately crocheted stars and bells – to be sold at Gloucester Services in the lead up to Christmas.
“In my heart I always knew this would be something special. It’s given people a sense of belonging.”
Aysha Randera
Using our loaf
As well as supporting people who are already producing, we also nurture aspiring local food entrepreneurs through our Limited Edition course. In 2023 four people took part, learning the business skills needed to create, market and launch a new product but it wasn’t just theoretical.
The group created the Milk Loaf with Fenugreek – which was produced by our friends at Hobbs House Bakery and went on sale in the Gloucester Services Farmshops at the end of September, and sold 573 units up until the end of December.
The team’s inspiration for a milk loaf stemmed from childhood memories of light and fluffy freshly baked bread, adding fenugreek for its health benefits and to acknowledge the diversity of Gloucester, and the team themselves.
Originally from the Philippines, Viva O’Flynn moved to the UK in 2018 and took part in Limited Edition. “I’m grateful for the opportunity to develop my business skills for free, it has been inspiring and life changing. I have been to Gloucester Services many times and imagined what it would be like to have my products sold there. Taking part in the Limited Course has helped me to understand what buyers are looking for and I have learnt so much from the tutor and the other participants. I wish more people could experience this course.”
Viva O’Flynn
A true partnership
Plus, some of our community partners also produce products to raise funds for their organisations. Read With Me – who mobilise teams of volunteers to go into schools all over Gloucestershire to read with children and help develop a love of reading – produced Christmas cards.
After an introduction to the Farmshop the cards were soon on the shelves and sold 140 packs to support the organisation’s need to meet the demand of more schools and year groups wanting the Read With Me offer.
Clare Skivington, GGT’s Community Support Manager said: “There are so many local people with such amazing talent, it’s been a real privilege to work alongside our committed buying team and supportive colleagues in Gloucester to bring people’s dreams come true, helping them to bring their products to the renowned farm shop at Gloucester Services. The time thought and energy that goes into supporting our new community suppliers has been fantastic and we are looking forward to hearing where their journey takes them next.“
If you are a local producer and are interested in having your products stocked at Gloucester Services, please go to https://westmorlandfamily.com/become-a-producer/ to find out more.