An independent convenience store is proving to be a big hit with Nansledan residents and businesses.
Customers have been queueing up to buy their daily essentials – as well as a few treats – from the new shop in Chi Esels.
Nansledan Stores stocks everything from jam to cream and has already become part of daily life for many local people.
The shop’s owners, Leigh Mayor and partner Danielle Randell, say they’ve already got to know some of the regulars since they opened in August, adding that it’s been great to see a vision finally become a reality.
Leigh, a former kitchen designer and installation manager, decided to change careers and open a convenience store after a brief stint running a shop when he was a teenager. He had been looking for suitable premises for a while before he discovered there was a retail opportunity in Nansledan, about 30 seconds from his home.
“I knew there was that great community feel here and it would be the ideal place to open a shop,” said Leigh. “It’s always been a bit of a dream of mine and this is exactly the sort of shop I wanted to run,” he said, adding that the long hours and the early starts don’t bother him at all.
“I basically get to talk for a living!” he said. “I’m already starting to see the same faces every day and I know what they’re going to buy.”
Nansledan Stores stocks a blend of local produce, including cream, milk, bread, fruit and vegetables, plus last-minute essentials and everyday items for the kitchen cupboards. Everything is neatly displayed – something that’s very important to Leigh.
“Oh, everything has to be neat,” he said. “All of my carrots are nice and straight and even my Chuppa Chupps lolly stand is tidy. That’s the way I do things.”
Running an independent store means Leigh and Danielle are able to listen to what their customers need and stock the shelves accordingly, all while keeping costs down.
“The other day someone came in asking to buy yeast and I was able to get some in,” said Leigh. “Then someone else wanted lemons, so we have them now. It’s great to have the freedom to give customers what they want.”
It’s been a real family effort to get Nansledan Stores up and running so successfully so soon. Danielle (who also runs a successful cleaning company) often works alongside Leigh behind the counter, as well as taking care of the paperwork and admin side of things. The couple’s teenage children help to stack shelves.
There are now plans to introduce hot sausage roll and pasties and a coffee machine will soon be up and running.
Leigh admits the shop takes up a lot of time. He and Danielle are due to get married in November and the big event will be his first day off in three months. Hopefully.
“I will be opening up in the morning though,” said Leigh, laughing. “Danielle says she reckons I’ll be back to close up, but I might get someone else to do it that day…”
