Grocer changes hands as worker succeeds founder

A NEW owner has moved into Goring Grocer in the High Street.

Rose Isaac, 45, succeeded Kate Kind last month after buying the business earlier this year.

For the last three years, she has worked alongside Kate, who was profiled as one of the UK’s most impressive female entrepreneurs.

Ms Isaac, who grew up in Pangbourne and now lives in Streatley, moved to London to study product design at Central Saint Martins College of Art. She then worked in fashion retail and interior design for high-end luxury brands for around 20 years.

At the start of the coronavirus pandemic, she moved back to South Oxfordshire and began working alongside Ms Kind, who started running the store in 2021.

Ms Isaac said: “I wanted to work here to get to know the community better when I moved back. Kate taught me all the tricks of the trade and about wholesale food buying, as that was her role before at Waitrose, before she bought the grocer.

“So, when the opportunity came around to buying it, I couldn’t say no.”

The shop will operate with the same set-up and staff, continuing to sell freshly baked food, flowers, and gifts.

Fruit and vegetables will continue to be sourced daily from Covent Garden’s food market. Early next year, she hopes to start cooking demonstrations with the grocer’s two chefs.

A box is at the front of the store for residents to place their suggestions about what new local stock, suppliers and produce they want to see.

Ms Isaac added: “The grocer has a wonderful team in place and is integral to our community. I’m looking forward to putting my own spin on it and building on the warm and welcoming atmosphere.”