The owners of a South African shop in Swindon have revealed that business is going well since moving premises.
Janine and Steven East immigrated with their children to the UK from South Africa in 2019 and have made the town their home.
They originally set up The South African Spaza Shop in Cheney Manor during the Covid pandemic, but moved to South Marston last November.
So far business at the store has been great according to Janine, who prefers the new location.
“We realised there was a large South African community living in Swindon, so we decided to give it a go at opening a South African shop,” she said.
“The new premises in South Marston is bigger and better and we absolutely love Swindon.
"We look forward to welcoming new people into our shop for a South African experience.”
The 44-year-old mum recently had the idea to start stocking Australian snacks and treats in the shop to diversify.
“Many South Africans have immigrated to the UK and Australia and then move between those countries and New Zealand, visiting families in those parts of the world,” said Janine.
“Customers then started asking us if we could start importing the Australian products that they had learnt to love.
“So we made the decision to expand our range from South African products to Zimbabwean products and now the latest addition Australian products.”
The wide variety of new Australian products is in addition to the unique offering of South African meats on sale at the Spaza shop too.
“We have a large range of the chocolates, snacks and drinks with the most popular seeming to be the Cherry Ripes and Tim Tam biscuits,” she added.
“South Africans are known for the barbecues and we will barbecue come rain snow or shine so we carry a large selection of meats, rubs and spices as well as wood from South Africa.
“Our most famous products is Biltong which is pure protein dried meat which comes in all different flavours.
“All our products are imported and our meats are prepared by South African butchers in the UK.”
The shop can be found at Unit 10 Woodside Park, Woodside Road in South Marston and is open seven days a week from 9.30am to 5pm on weekdays.
On Saturday and Sundays the store runs from 9.30am to 2pm with online orders for delivery also available.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel