Deli run by three generations of same family celebrates first year in Exmouth

A new deli in Exmouth Indoor Market, Miles & Grace, is celebrating its first anniversary in the town.

It opened for business one year ago today on 21 May.

Run by three generations of the same family, Lesley Thompson owns the business, her daughter Jessica Kidd is the manager, and Jessica's daughter Serena Kidd works behind the counter.

Cheeses, cream teas to go - and ice cream for dogs (Nub News, Will Goddard)

The deli stocks local products. It offers a wide variety of cheeses, chutneys, cream teas, and ice creams available to go - including a special variety just for dogs.

Miles & Grace also has the largest selection of jams and marmalades your correspondent has ever seen. It even features a jam called 'Little Scarlet', James Bond's favourite breakfast spread in the novel From Russia, with Love.

Jams galore (Nub News, Will Goddard)

Another new development for the deli is a food-hygiene rating of '5', the highest available, from the Food Standards Agency.

Commenting on their first year in business, owner Lesley, who was also a nurse for 50 years, said: "It's been a difficult year for everybody, people haven't had a lot of money to spend ... we've come straight in from lockdown; it's always a struggle. 

"But the people of Exmouth have really tried to support us, the locals, and we really appreciate that. We've had a lot of support from the other market stall-holders as well.

"We've got a lot of regulars now, which is lovely."

Manager Jessica, before a phlebotomist (nurse who takes blood samples), said that it's the people who make Exmouth such a nice place to do business.

She said: "It feels like a family atmosphere. We're used to that, we lived in a village [near Stockton on Tees, County Durham]. It's just right for us."

Her daughter Serena added: "Even when customers come in it doesn't feel like you're working, it feels like you're sitting and chatting with a friend.

"Also, I love the beach [here] - I'm never off it!"

You can find Miles & Grace inside Exmouth Indoor Market on the left.

The deli is currently accepting orders of cream teas and more for the upcoming Platinum Jubilee. To order supplies for your Platinum Jubilee party, you can either go in person, call the deli on 07398 739758, or send a message to its Facebook page here.