Popular deli set to open branch at village pub
THE owners of a corner shop turned award-winning deli are preparing to open a second branch, across the county.
Pratik and Bee Master, who run Wigston Fields News and Deli, also known as Not Just A Corner Shop (NJACS), will soon launch an outlet at The Griffin Inn pub in Swithland.
The existing shop offers a range of food and drink from local independent producers, from Vine Farm Dairy milk and Hambleton Bakery bread to Fosse Field Farm eggs and Sona Foods samosas.
Customers can expect the same at the new branch of the business, which has the working title of NJACS 2.
There are plans to make cakes on site, while others will come from local businesses, including Hairy Coconut Deli and Bakery and The Cook in The Nook. There will be a deli counter at the shop, with produce including cheese and meat, and freshly made coffee and sandwiches.
As with the Wigston shop, the Swithland venture will also host pop-up meet the producer events and a weekly pizza night.
The idea for the new place came about after Pratik asked the shop’s followers on social media if they wanted another NJACS in the county.
According to Pratik, they were bombarded with positive responses and it become clear demand was there.
Pratik and Bee did not want the new place to be too close to the existing shop, so the premises at The Griffin Inn
– which previously housed the pub’s own Odd John’s Kitchen deli/cafe – were ideal. Plus, they were keen to work with the Cooledge family, who run the pub.
Pratik said: “They understand what we do. It’s not about making money, it’s about providing a service, both for the consumers and for the producers as well.
“It’s a family that runs the pub, which is important to us, plus they offer good food, good beer and good service. So, when people come here, they can come to us and buy something from the shop, then go into the pub for a beer and perhaps a meal. They can enjoy the whole experience.”
NJACS 2 is due to open this month, and will initially be open Wednesday to Sunday, 9am until 4pm.
However, they said this may change according to demand.