James and his wife Emma run Addiscombe Fruit & Veg at 303 Lower Addiscombe Road. Both were brought up in the area and both know the high street like the back of their hands – Emma used to work in the bakery a few doors down and James worked in the butcher’s next door.

Three years ago Leslie’s Fruiterers, which had been serving locals for 40 plus years, closed down and James and Emma stepped in to restore the “heart of the community.” Since then the pandemic has ensured there’s never been a quiet moment as they’re constantly adapting to the ever-changing situation.

James said: “When the first lockdown hit I had to hire a number of family members because we were doing 200 deliveries a day!” said James. “Our main priority was helping those people who couldn’t get out and had to self-isolate and we still have people who feel safer receiving deliveries every week and we don’t charge for this.”

“We’re here to be a part of the community and it’s about trying to give back to the customers as much as they give us with their support. I like to think that when people come in they always leave smiling and for people to do their shopping locally means everything to us.”

James Monckton , Addiscombe Fruit & Veg

Addiscombe Fruit & Veg is open from 7am to 4pm, apart from Sundays, 8am to 2pm. www.addiscombefruitveg.co.uk   www.facebook.com/AddiscombeFruitVeg  www.instagram.com/addiscombefruit_veg