THE owner of a popular delicatessen in Whitchurch has thanked her staff and 'loyal' customer base as they celebrated 10 years of trading on Saturday.

Benjamin's Deli & Cafe, in High Street, celebrated its milestone in the same way it has traded – full of customers as the town's Blackberry Fair took place.

Rachel Cartwright and her partner Ric set up the coffee shop 10 years ago this weekend, and she said achieving this milestone is something to celebrate.

She said: "It feels like an achievement getting to 10 years, absolutely yes.

"It was a brand new business from day one and we've always been in this kind of business, Richard and I, and it's our background.

"But it was a new town and we'd just moved to the area.

"We've built a really good customer base who are very loyal and very nice.

"We've got a great team behind us too, which we've had from day one even though some people have left and come back too.

"But we have some like Jenna Jackson and Nicky Barber who have been with us since day one."

Rachel explained that she and Ric were 'tough' people to event set up a business from year to year, but added that the experience of Covid has left her positive she and her staff can deal with future issues.

She said: "Just getting to the end of a year, each year is our proudest moment and overall hitting 10 years makes us so proud.

"Even though Richard doesn't actually physically work here, he's a massive support for everyone and has been from day one.

"We've maintained a level of familiarity and I think, like I say, that comes with having very loyal customers.

"We're able to change and adapt the way we do things when things do change and without wanting to focus on Covid-19 but that was obviously was the worst bit.

"No-one knew at the end of March what was going to happen but we had to close the doors for three months.

"Furlough hadn't come in by then so no-one knew how we'd keep our team and pay for it, plus a fully-stocked shop.

"But we got through that and after Covid, when we weren't allowed the cafe but could do takeaway, we became very good at putting the cafe in and taking it out again.

"You've got to be tough to run your own business, and while nothing can prepare you for that, we got through and it took a few months to re-adapt to it.

"I am confident that having been through Covid that whatever is thrown at us now, we will have to keep learning on how to adapt."