Barland brings out Graylings’ rural setting

With two shops between three brothers, Lee, Martin and John Grayling decided after 24 years it was time to open a third business last year, giving them control of one shop each.

While Lee and Martin stayed on at the family’s existing shops - Graylings in Fremington, North Devon, and Graylings in North Tawton in the west, it was John, with his wife Sandra and son Johnny, who took on the new shop in Okehampton, a traditional market town nestling in the foothills of Dartmoor.

Previously an old tea room, John enlisted the help of Barland Shopfitters to convert the space into a takeaway that was in keeping with the previous two businesses. By combining fresh white tiles, a distressed wooden counter and a feature wall displaying an image of nearby Burrator Reservoir on Dartmoor National Park, Barland carefully incorporated elements that would remind customers of the rural setting of the shop while still creating something modern and clean.

John comments: “We didn’t want anything too shiny and new and I think Barlands got that just right. We already had our logo so they came up with ideas and colours that matched in with that and the type of setting we wanted. The rustic looking wood and the curved counter are really nice features and, although the shop’s new, it fits in with Okehampton being rural. Overall, the fixtures and fittings all look great and the finish we’re really pleased with. It’s all really positive.”

While currently it’s a continual flow of locals and passing trade keeping Graylings Okehampton busy - helped by the fact Co-Op, Waitrose and Lidl all have car parks within 100 yards of the takeaway - John is gearing up for the warmer months having caught a glimpse of what trade was like last year. He adds: “We opened in the last week of August and it was a massive week of trade. Although it settled down straight away, at least we know there is that footfall there in the summer.”

Hopefully, with business continuing as it has, plus a busy summer, John will be on track to open a 50 seater restaurant upstairs above the takeaway. “We’ve got the space, we just need the money now to get it open!” he remarks.

Barland Shopfitters 0800 043 5523 www.barlandshopfitters.co.uk