Popular South Shields greengrocers Fresh N Fruity opens new store on King Street

The popular greengrocers, Fresh N Fruity which has been serving South Shields residents for more than 30 years, opened its new store at 9 King Street just before Christmas after several months of uncertainty.

The business, which started life as a stall on the market 32 years ago, was located under the King Street Metro bridge for 12 years until July 2019, when the new transport interchange opened and building works at the site forced it to relocate.

After six months of trading from a temporary stall on Station Approach, the store now has a permanent premises and is looking forward to a fresh new future.

“We haven’t had a lot of time to let people know and tell all the customers that we were moving, so some people thought we had gone,” said owner, Tracy Stephenson who thanked her customers for sticking by her.

“We’ve been absolutely rammed since we opened, 95% of my customers are regulars but I have seen a few new faces,” she said.

“My customers have been so loyal and faithful.

“Moving from under the bridge to Station Approach was horrific, but they still came even when the weather was awful. I wouldn’t be here without them.”

Tracy added: “People prefer to shop with us rather than at the big supermarkets because it’s all fresh and they can pick up whatever they want, we don’t do pre-packed stuff, so it’s ideal for people such as those who live on their own.”

Tracy is hoping that her popularity will rub off on King Street and draw shoppers back to the town centre.

“I have been trading in South Shields for 32 years and the decline in King Street is just horrific,” she said.

“The businesses bounce off each other, so hopefully we can get people coming back and others will see what we’re doing and think they can make a go of something as well.”

Tracy added: “It’s quite an achievement to be on King Street for 12 years and fingers crossed we’ll be here for a little bit longer.”