Business owner who took the risk of opening a Leamington store during the pandemic is celebrating his first anniversary
and live on Freeview channel 276
A business owner that braved the pandemic and opened a store in Leamington is celebrating his first year milestone.
While many businesses were forced to close their doors due to restrictions, Ben Rushforth, from Ben’s Meat and Heat Emporium, took a leap of faith and in June last year opened his food business on Portland Street.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide AdIt’s been a tough year for small businesses but Ben’s Meat and Heat Emporium has now reached the one year milestone and is celebrating this Saturday.
Many locals will be familiar with Ben, as he runs the market stall and online business, Ben’s Biltong.
Ben’s Biltong produces South African biltong and droewors and has been a regular at many of Warwickshire’s annual festivals over the last few years including the Warwick, Leamington, Stratford and Kenilworth food and drink festivals.
The Ben’s Biltong online shop is also highly successful and sells his range of biltong and droewors all across the UK.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide AdBen had been planning to open his shop in early 2020 but due to the pandemic put it on hold.
When it became clear that the pandemic was here for the long term, Ben threw caution to the wind and opened the doors to Ben’s Meat and Heat Emporium.
Ben said: "I wasn’t sure if opening during the pandemic was a good idea but I’d already leased the shop, begun fitting it out and ordered stock.
"My income was also reduced as I couldn’t run my market stall and I didn’t qualify for any government funding. There was nothing to lose."
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide Ad