After 16 years of store ownership, Paul and Michelle Gravelle are selling their store in Sawbridgeworth, Hertfordshire, to Central England Co-op.
Michelle explained that the decision was down to wanting to spend more time with family, but that rising costs had inevitably played a factor, while Paul claimed that the changing “spirit” of Budgens was another reason why it was time to leave.
The couple’s last day will be Sunday 23rd October and from then the store will close for approximately two and a half weeks where the store will undergo a major refit. All of the existing team will be staying on with the Co-op.
Michelle told Convenience Store: “We have grandkids now and it just felt the right time to go.” She added: “You’d be mad not to factor in [increased costs] - that was a factor as well.”
She claimed that she would miss her staff, who she described as family. “It’s a big old change, we’re looking forward to it, but we’re sad as well,” she said. “We’ll have some time out first to clear our heads and then decide what we’re going to do.”
Paul, who worked as a regional controller of Budgens stores at Musgrave Group prior to becoming a store owner, posted on social media: “After working in retail for 40 years and being associated with Budgens for 36 years it’s time to say goodbye to them as Michelle and myself have decided to sell our last store and move on to another path.
“I have met many great people and have made life long friends who I would be a poorer person without. We don’t intend to retire but will be doing stuff that interests us as we have a choice now.
“Budgens has been my life for such a long time but it’s not the Budgens I knew and loved. It’s owned by Booker (Tesco), which I found amusing when they took over as I had spent most of my career competing and fighting against [them], so much has changed and the spirit is very different now and was part of the reason why we chose now to go.
“A road trip to America beckons so once we are back, on to our next chapter which we are excited and nervous about!”
Under Paul and Michelle’s guidance, the store has taken part in numerous community initiatives, including raising over £10,000 for the Helen Rollason Cancer Charity; supporting children from Chernobyl on a visit to the UK with food hampers, and making improvements to the local area by litter picking and planting flowers.
After sharing their news on the store’s Facebook page last Friday, the couple were inundated with messages from their customers.
Customer Karen Proctor said: “You kept us going through Covid before and afterwards and we always say you have selected goods we can’t get anywhere else.”
Regular, Mark Jones, said he was “genuinely gutted” to be losing the independently run outlet. He said: “Budgens Sawbo is an absolute gem, having always been faithful to local products while carrying unusual alternatives and with ever helpful and friendly staff.”
Another customer, Ange Chan, described the store as “the pillar of the community” due to their “hard work and diligence”.
While Caroline Skipper told the Gravelles: “Budgens has been such a major part of Sawbridgeworth life - and has gone from strength to strength under your ownership. Good luck for your future endeavours!”
1 Readers' comment