An award-winning fruit and veg shop is on the move – but it is only venturing up the road from its town centre spot.

Austen’s of Rochester is relocating to the former Carter’s bric-a-brac and antiques store - a bigger premises to meet its growing demand.

Run by Andy Austen and his wife Carol, the business prides itself on selling locally-grown and seasonal produce and customer care to their loyal clientele.

Its free vegetable box delivery service across Medway was popular before lockdown, but was boosted after restrictions lifted with more people preferring to support local independent businesses than large supermarkets.

Andy has been trading in Rochester for eight years, giving up his job in corporate sales in London after 25 years.

He said: “I decided when I was 50 I wanted to do something different. I suffer from food intolerances and allergies and this fitted the bill.”

At the time Carol was not in the best of health and he said the new venture was a welcome “distraction”.

The couple have always supported Kent farmers and most of their fruit and vegetables are sourced within a 25-mile radius.

Starting off as a greengrocers, they now offer free-range meat, sourdough bread, cheeses and eggs with the mantra Eat Local Live Better.

Andy, 58, said: “We have used about 50 farmers over the years coming from small farms, not the big ones who only supply to supermarkets.

“We don’t bulk buy but buy on a daily basis.”

Their delivery service is subscription only and in July 2020 the couple opened a pack house, Austen’s Premium Veg Box Co, on Medway City Estate.

They hope to be up-and-running in their new shop by the first week of July.

Andy said: “We are looking forward to being more in the centre of the town and in a better premises.”

Austen’s has won a string of accolades, including the Taste of Kent award for its customer service.