Oxfordshire deli opens after starting as lockdown business

Wendy Wirdnan, 51, was a driving instructor before the lockdown but when the pandemic hit she started her own business the Oxford Grazing Co.

After spending two years completing online orders, she has now opened a store on Bath Street in Abingdon after making a success of it and leaving her previous job as a driving instructor.

READ MORE: New plans for 80 homes – and potential care home – in small Oxfordshire village

The deli opened on Saturday (June 3) and sells an assortment of cheese, charcuterie, antipasti, olives, freshly baked bread, chutneys, gourmet nuts, wine, beer, and cider.

Ms Wirdnan aims to stock as much local produce as possible and items that are not available in major supermarkets.

She said: “It seemed a natural progression as I was running out of space, so we thought why don’t we do a shop to sell things I make and use local suppliers as well.

“It’s very exciting. It’s stuff that isn’t available in supermarkets, I have been quite careful in choosing my suppliers so that they are not supplying to supermarkets. It’s nice stuff.”

Posting on social media after the store’s first day, Ms Wirdnan said: “What an amazing day! Thank you to everyone who came and supported me.”

The Oxford Grazing Co will continue to run as before and takes online orders as well as catering for events.

The new deli shop is open Monday to Saturday from 9am to 5pm.