Teddington Stores

Former city worker Deborah has waved her magic wand over Teddington Stores, transforming it from a Little Chef into a delightful food hall to champion the good food of her Gloucestershire farming roots. The cut flowers greeting you in the foyer puts your average petrol station bunch to shame. In the food hall beyond, broad oak tables sag under the weight of gargantuan stacks of freshly baked goodies, groceries and treats, including fruit from Hayles Farm, artisan bread, gorgeous local art, tasteful giftware, and a fantastic selection of wine and British chocolates. High-end frozen meals will dupe any in-law into thinking you’ve cooked it yourself.

The butchery counter is the piece de resistance, selling the finest cuts from local herds. It should be beef for dinner as the ribs and prime cuts here are dry aged in the store’s own salt-lined ager and are melt-in-your-mouth delicious. The café at the entrance is where you can sup a Lavazza coffee and savour a light lunch or crumbly pastry at one of a handful of tables (with charging points). Everything is made in the kitchen and uses ingredients from the shelves.