Sandy Balls holiday park in Fordingbridge opens new outlet Acorn Place Shop and Deli

SANDY Balls holiday park in Fordingbridge has opened a new shop and deli packed with a huge range of regional and sustainable culinary delights.

A selection of local businesses have been hand-picked to supply the Acorn Place Shop and Deli, with more than 80% of products from within a 50-mile radius.

New Forest producers include Honey’s Honey from Ringwood, New Forest Shortbread in Burley, Beaulieu Chocolate Studio and Fordingbridge Farm Shop’s butchers.

More than 60 local ales will also be sold at the store, which is open to the public as well as park guests, along with 25 gins and 47 Hampshire and Wiltshire cheeses, and more than half of the wine on offer will be British.

The deli counter will serve a good selection of local meats, cheeses and pies, plus coffee and tempting homemade cakes.

The chief executive of Away Resorts, Carl Castledine, said: “The shop offers a true local feel and brings an exciting change to our retail offering at the park.

“We are looking to support more local small businesses and provide our guests with high quality produce grown only around the corner.”

The addition is part of a wider drive by park owners Away Resorts towards sustainability, and with that in mind the shop will not be retailing single-use plastic and ensuring that, where possible, packaging is recyclable.

Furthermore, all cleaning products used within the shop will be eco-friendly, the company said.

The park is also making a big effort to promote recycling and electric car use, and for every holiday home sold the operator will be planting a tree.

It has also partnered with environmental charity Surfers Against Sewage as part of a long-term initiative to encourage guests to look after the British coastline. There are various initiatives planned, including beach clean-ups.

Mr Castledine added: “We all want to find ways of doing things better, and of working with partners to do business and leisure in the most sustainable way we can.

“The new shop will provide visitors with the very best local produce the area has to offer.

“Not only does this support the local economy, it also helps to cut waste and supports our nationwide sustainability agenda too.”

For more information, visit awayresorts.co.uk/parks/new-forest/sandy-balls/village-store