The Veg Shed, which sells fruit and veg on Saturdays at the Triangle, is to stop trading at the end of the year.

 

The pop-up stall will however be open over the next few weeks, including on the 16^th at the Christmas in the Triangle Event. 

Its final appearance will be on December 23, enabling people to stock up just before Christmas.

The Veg Shed reappeared in November 2015 under the stewardship of Robin Bluemel, who had previously worked at a fruit and veg wholesalers.

Originally, The Veg Shed was the idea of two local families who wanted to plug the fruit and veg gap following the disappearance of a greengrocer’s at the Triangle.

They started it going in September 2014, initially on a fortnightly basis.

Judi Galbraith serving on opening day in 2014

But Robin Bluemel said business had been “declining for a while” and wasn’t sustainable.

Robin Bluemel's Bitterne Box Co continues

He’ll be continuing his other business, the Bitterne Box Co, which delivers fully customisable fruit and veg boxes to households around the city every week.

The Veg Shed at Riverfest in May 2017

“[The Veg Shed is] the weak point in my business at the moment... It’s the place in my business where I can lose money,” said Robin, as he packed away this Saturday’s Shed – putting a box of “absolutely beautiful” local cabbages back in his brightly painted van.

Robin Bluemel

“These are the nicest cabbages I’ve seen in weeks and I haven’t sold a single one, so I’ve got a box of six cabbages, and five cauliflowers in the back of the van, which I don’t end up with after my [Bitterne Box Co] boxes because I take orders, and I buy to order... there's a lot less waste.”

Robin said if anyone else wanted to run The Veg Shed he’d be happy to give pointers, but he didn’t think it was sustainable as a main business.

Previously: Bitterne Parker: Robin Bluemel

You'll still be able to get Bitterne Parker T-shirts at The Veg Shed in the run up to Christmas while stocks last - the ideal gift for the Bitterne Parker in your life!

• You can find out about, and make contact with, The Bitterne Box Co via their Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/bitterneboxco/