Family turn their barn of bargains into big business
CUSTOMERS BAG CHEAP DEALS AT COUPLE’S £1.2M VENTURE
BARGAINS galore await shoppers at a family-run discount warehouse that began during the pandemic – in a barn.
Jambons sells big-name brands such as Heinz, Kellogg’s and Cadbury for a fraction of the usual supermarket price. That’s because some of the items are getting close to the best before dates but they’re all perfectly safe to eat.
Customers are eager to load their trolleys with coffee, cereal, eggs, bread, sweets, crisps, pet food and household products such as toilet roll and fabric conditioner to save the pounds.
The warehouse, on an industrial estate in New Basford, has built up an army of regulars after starting in a barn at the Rainworth home of mum-of-four Annalisa Fisher. Now the business she runs with husband Gary Martin is projected to make £1.2m this year.
Annalisa, 35, said: “It was hard for everyone back in March and April. I started selling food and drink on at discount prices to people. The barn was full of stock. We used the power of Facebook and local selling sites and it went from there. We had sweets, drinks and tins, all close to date items which allowed us to keep it cheaper.”
The venture proved so successful the couple expanded into a warehouse at Ryan Business Park, off Radford Road, last August. They now sell 70 pallets of goods every week.
As well as attracting hundreds of shoppers, ex-eastender Ross Kemp – “the friend of a friend” – popped in while filming last year in Nottingham.
Annalisa, mum of Harley, 10, twins Evie and Olivia, 11, and Jacob, 13, said: “It took us by storm really. It’s gone from helping people out to this.
“Before I stayed at home and did school runs, cleaned up, did the washing and the stuff mums do and now it’s spiralled into being at work every day and juggling the kids between us all.
“I wouldn’t change it though. It’s enjoyable. You don’t have to be a member to shop here – we get asked that a lot. Sometimes it can put people off if they’ve got to bring ID when they come in. Let’s face it, the last year has been tough enough with putting more obstacles in the way.”
The venture has been so successful they will be knocking through into the empty unit next door to create a new freezer section next month.
Former car dealer Gary, 40, has all the sales patter and regularly appears in videos on Jambons’ Facebook page, filmed by Harley. The youngster, who enjoys helping at the business, has been nicknamed Baby Jambon, and he’s not afraid to get stuck in, unloading packs of toilet roll nearly as big as him from a delivery van. His payment? Sweets from the warehouse.
“He’s not shy. He’s just launched his first competition for Mother’s Day asking children of our customers who follow us on Facebook to draw a picture of their mum or carer and he’s got a little prize together,” said Annalisa.
Gary said: “We work on small margins to cover all the overheads and we sell so much stuff now it’s unbelievable. Last Saturday we had 270 customers through the door. It was really busy.”
More than 3,000 products fill the store. Different supplies arrive all the time but on the day the Post visited we found Pot Noodles priced at 50p, three packets of fig rolls for £1, 24 bottles of Coke Zero for £4.99 (normally around £15) and three bottles of Lenor fabric conditioner for a fiver.
Shopper Donna Fox, a 49-year-old sales assistant, said: “It’s really good value for money. Everything is in date and nowadays you’re just looking for a bargain to save the pennies.”
Donna Irving, 33, said: “It’s interesting. I came to investigate chicken feed as I have 11 chickens and two turkeys. A few tech bits have caught my eye. I’d come again.”
Jambons is open seven days a week, Monday to Friday, 9am-5pm, Saturday 9am-4pm, and Sunday 10am to 3pm.