Three Exeter ethical businesses and a community group are holding a social evening at the Real Food Store, Paris Street on Thursday 1st December, to entertain and thank all their supporters who have helped put together the core of a vibrant new community-based local economy. Transition Exeter, the Exeter Pound, Real Food Store and Exeter Community Energy (ECOE) have all made great progress throughout the year and want to celebrate in the right style.

‘Since winning the Clone Town award some years ago Exeter is now making strides in supporting the local economy’ said Gill Westcott, of Exeter Pound. ‘Exeter has superb innovations – community owned energy and local food businesses, and its own currency - that will help drive the local economy forward and improve local people’s lives both now and in the future.’ 

‘This special evening is our way of thanking those who already support us and updating everyone on what we’ve achieved this year and are working on for the next’.

Traditional Christmas food and drink will be on offer to guests at the Real Food Store and the shop is participating in late night shopping for those keen to buy locally produced food and drink as gifts for the festive season.

‘It’s now a well known fact,’ said David Mezzetti director of Exeter Local Food Ltd, which operates the Real Food Store, ‘That spending money on locally produced or grown items helps keep jobs local, cuts food miles, and makes Exeter less vulnerable to crises in the global economy.’ Over 60 per cent of product lines in the store are from Devon based businesses ranging from fresh meat to cookies and cider.

All four businesses extend a warm welcome on Thursday 1st December between 6.30 - 8.30pm. 

The Real Food Store, Bakery and Café is at 11-13 Paris Street, Exeter EX1 2JB and is open Monday to Saturday. Visit: www.realfoodstoreexeter.co.uk for more information.