Ahead of the store opening, a preview day was held for founding directors of the company including Tom Turner (93), from Crediton, and other senior directors and guests on Tuesday, September 4, civic and other invited guests on the Wednesday and for farmer shareholders on Thursday, September 6.
The farmer shareholder evening saw hundreds of people attend, with entertainment provided by the group, the "Manglewurzels", as well as impressive displays and music by Exeter Pipes and Drums.
A caricaturist also entertained visitors.
There was a hog roast and cider bar and visitors were impressed with the new store.
The new store incorporates retail selling space, plus warehouse and support office facilities in the 30,000 square feet country store located on a 3.5 acre site.
The new store incorporates a range of dedicated sections including clothing, farm shop, homeware, home and gifts, agricultural, footwear, equestrian, pet and bedding, animal medicines, a cafe, small garden centre and much more.
The company has been on its Mill Street site since the early 1970’s and had been eager to move to a more suitable local site that would enable it to serve its traditional farmer base alongside the wider community.
EMPLOYMENT INCREASE
John Lee, chairman of the board at Mole Avon, said that the expansion of the business to the new country store had resulted in it now employing 49 members of staff compared to 21 at its former premises.
Mr Lee said that Mole Avon was founded in about 1966 in Crediton at Downes Mill, expanding in later years to Axminster and Okehampton and having a shop in Crediton High Street, but always retaining a store in Crediton.
He added that the company was also in the process of acquiring a further acre of land adjoining the new store site.
Mr Lee thanked the contractors and local businesses which had helped in achieving the new store and spoke about the store’s 70kw of solar panels installed on the roof and other measures such as LED lighting, which resulted in the new store being almost zero carbon neutral. During his speech Mr Lee paid tribute to Mole Avon’s leadership team who had planned, designed and delivered a state of the art store for Crediton and the surrounding area.
Inside the store he said that there was a small farm shop which is supplied by local producers.
FUN-FILLED WEEKEND
The public is invited to attend a fun-filled weekend at the new store on Saturday and Sunday, September 15 and 16.
Each day there will be a chance to visit the store, where there will be exclusive offers.
Other events and activities will be face painting, balloons, deckchair, selfie frame, sweets, stickers and much more.
The Duke of Gloucester will perform the official opening during a day visit to Devon, which will also see him visit Exeter Mathematics School and officially open new school buildings at Chulmleigh Community College.