Award-winning food hall expands into new space

Macknade Fine Foods is celebrating 40 years in retail with a move to a new food and drink hub. Famous for its award-winning food hall in Faversham, Macknade will be filling the 5,136sq ft space in Ashford with an all-day dining experience, as well as its groceries and deli counters, which will feature a range of local, British and continental cheese and charcuterie. A bar area will also be stocking premium beer, cider, wine, spirits and soft drinks from Kent’s flourishing drinks scene.

The new Ashford Macknade will be supported by the Faversham management team and the business has said that it will be looking to initially employ a further 6-12 people from the local community to start growing the team. The company has said that it is looking to open the Ashford site around October this year.

Stefano Cuomo, managing director of Macknade commented, “For over 40 years we have celebrated more than just fine food and drink, for me it’s about people and communities coming together. We enjoy discovering and selling the incredible array of food from our Kentish doorstep as well as cuisine from around the globe. We are all about creating a food and drink experience that is so much more than just a restaurant or shop.

“We’ve seen a real increase in the number of consumers choosing to shop locally and engage with independent businesses. Customers no longer want to shop and dine solely at supermarkets and chain formats; people want to know where their food comes from and that the businesses they are spending with are sustainable. This ethos has been supported throughout the county by organisations like Visit Kent and Produced in Kent.”