THE team at the Suffolk Food Hall, just outside Ipswich, has celebrated its second anniversary in buoyant mood despite the economic gloom - and perhaps even partly because of it.

THE team at the Suffolk Food Hall, just outside Ipswich, has celebrated its second anniversary in buoyant mood despite the economic gloom - and perhaps even partly because of it.

And to mark the occasion, everyone who visited the food hall on its anniversary was offered a free slice of home-made birthday cake.

Besides tapping into the growing demand for quality locally-sourced food, the owners believe the store is also benefiting from an increase in the number of people choosing to cook at home and cook rather than eating out although the food hall's own restaurant is also doing well.

Overall, sales are up by 14.8% so far this year - a similar rate of growth to that seen during 2008, before the worst of the recession began to bite.

“The business has established a sound foundation, especially in the current economic climate, and it is particularly heartening to see the strongest growth in the restaurant,” said director Robert Paul.

“We are constantly evolving; introducing and showcasing new suppliers and their products all the time, and hope to celebrate many more birthdays.”

The Suffolk Food Hall is located in a regenerated farmyard at Wherstead, almost under the shadow of the Orwell Bridge. It offers a comprehensive range of food and drink, much of which is local, and a licensed restaurant and caf�.