Walnut Tree Thwaite owner transforms vegetarian pub deals

Jan Wise, owner of the historic Walnut Tree inn and restaurant in Thwaite, on the A140, has toasted to a year of prosperous trade at her adjacent vegetarian shop.

Capitalising on the popularity of her pub's vegan offerings and lockdown meals, she decided to expand her business, opening a store that now enjoys increased custom.

Ms Wise said: "It's really hard work starting a new venture from scratch, but our shop has had amazing support from the team, friends and family."

Walnut Tree team outside the village shop (Image: Keith Mindham)

She highlighted that her outlet has been frequented by customers looking for homemade, healthy local food.

Ms Wise added: ‘‘One man makes a once a month trip from Colchester, because he loves what we do so much.’’

The idea behind the shop, which also sells local arts and crafts, sprang from the demand for take-away versions of the pub’s popular dishes.

Ms Wise said: ‘‘Customers started asking for other favourite menu items they could take away.

“So, I started making mushroom wellingtons, cauliflower cheese pies and chestnut and sweet potato roasts for people to pick up and cook at home.’’

Turning a pub's popular vegetarian dishes into a prosperous retail business (Image: Keith Mindham)

In addition to its innovative food offerings, the shop operates from Wednesday to Sunday, from 10am to 3pm, staffed by Ms Wise's pub team.

This careful approach to a business that was softly launched in 2023 has ensured the gradual ironing out of any pitfalls.

Ms Wise said: ‘‘My message to anyone thinking of starting a business is to accept help when it is offered – and to never be afraid to ask for help.

‘‘Our pub was listed in 2020 as one of the top 30 best vegan and vegetarian pubs by The Times newspaper and now we have grown with our shop which is a real treasure trove of treats."