Well known family to open new deli and café in Exeter

Exciting plans have been announced

Exciting plans have been announced to turn an empty shop along a bustling route through Exeter into a new deli and café run by a well-known local family.

Owen Wilder, former headteacher of Trinity Church of England Primary and Nursery School in Exeter, and his wife Kate, currently volunteer manager and project co-ordinator for Park Life Heavitree, have now been given the keys to the former tanning shop in Fore Street, Heavitree, which has been closed for many months.

In January, it will reopen as The Heavi Deli with a focus on selling locally sourced produce to support other independent businesses. It will have a cheese counter and sell a range of tempting food and drinks including meats, chutneys, wine and chocolate.

It will also serve a selection of homemade foods such as Owen's 'signature' recipe - homemade Scotch eggs - alongside sandwiches, pasties and cakes. The deli will have a small seating area for around 12-covers and takeaway food and drink will be available.

Mum-of-three Kate said: "It has been a dream of Owen's for years. He loves food and has always thought having a deli and café is something he would like to do.

"He has been a headteacher for the past 10 years and decided it was the right time to move on from that career and do something different. He has now left and I will be leaving Park Life Heavitree at Christmas.

"I've been there in my current role for three-and-a-half years. The deli will be family-run and, as far as possible, we want everything we sell to be from Devon and if can't find a stockist then we look within the south west.

"When we open we will sell what we think will do well but as time goes on we will work out what customers want. The space is really small so it's nothing like the Park Life Café and we don't want to compete with any of the other cafés here and what they do.

"There will be room for a small number of people to sit and have a sandwich and we have partnered with Owens Organic Coffee Roasters in Ivybridge so will be serving Fairtrade coffee to drink in or takeaway.

"I think Heavitree needs a deli because it's nice to have another option than going to the supermarket and being able to buy something of better quality. We expect some people will pop in regularly while for others it will be a treat when they want something special and local."

Due to its local focus, it seems rather apt that Owen and Kate are setting up the business where they live. They have been part of the Heavitree community for around 17 years and say they are looking forward to welcoming new and familiar faces into the deli.

Kate said: "We are very community-minded and I love the idea that those relationships and networks will be an extension of the deli. We are really passionate about Heavitree and Devon.

"We feel very fortunate to live here. It's an incredible part of the world to be in and although the business is something we want to do for ourselves, by setting it up we feel like we are doing something for the community that people will enjoy."

The Heavi Deli will open five days a week from Tuesday to Saturday, initially from 8am to 3pm. An opening date will be confirmed nearer the time.