A word from Iain…

I’ve been lucky enough to have spent 25 years working alongside the most inspirational and passionate people in this wonderful business now tagged The Speciality Food Sector. In more recent years by working within food sales, retail, distribution and production I became very aware that I had gained many of the necessary skills needed to launch and run a successful retail outlet or food production business.

For three years I traipsed around the South of England like some caped food crusader assisting very small food producers and new/existing deli owners on their respective roads to profitability. In the beginning my time was split equally between the food producers and retailers but over time I got more enjoyment and more positive results working with deli owners. This I tagged as The Deli Doctor service.

Incredibly rewarding, the Deli Doctor’s work meant that I would predominantly be spending my time in deli’s and farm shops who had regrettably fallen on hard times. Thankfully, I was able to positively assist a large number of my clients, but without a Mary Portas budget some were way past saving. Quite a number of these troubled owners should never have started up in the first place and were very heavily in debt with leases and debts to service. I remember saying to my wife Sally, “one day I’d like to be in the position to offer potential new deli owners a realtime taste of what it’s actually like to run a living breathing deli”.

Let’s cut to the chase, clients kept challenging me to put my money where my mouth is  we’re now in our 4th year of retailing.  We closed our initial smaller shop to open a much larger operation called Thyme & Tides in Stockbridge, Hampshire. Thyme & Tides houses a 50 seat bistro, fresh fish counter, a wonderful range of cheeses and a retail delicatessen. In our first year we have exceeded our sales targets with a very healthy net margin. Thus far Sally and my food experience have put us in a very positive position whilst enduring troubled economic times.

Thyme & Tides Academy

Last year we welcomed our first T&T Academy delegate from Wimbledon. Our delegates have a good mix of experience, most are in the first early stages of thinking about opening a deli, others have already signed a lease and have opening dates set for early in 2011. Many intend to or have already attended the very worthwhile courses run by The Guild Of Fine Food Retailers, but none have physically experienced what it is actually like to work in a living breathing delicatessen & bistro.

We’re not here to award certificates. It’s a great way to gain experience and money saving insights into:

- Your Future Store’s Location, Is The Market There?
- How To Plan Your Store Layout
- Local, National & International Product Sourcing
- Merchandising Products To Maximise Sales
- Setting Your Cheese & Cured meat Counter
- Manufacturing Your Own Branded Products
- Designing Your Cafes/Bistros Menu
- Cooking Products For Re-sale In The Delicatessen
- Planning A Successful Sales Promotion
- Which Producer/Distributors To Use & Who To Avoid!
- Shadowing Our Team From Opening To Closing The Deli
- Strategic & Daily Tactical Sales Planning
- Getting The Best Out Of Your Team & Keeping Them
- Getting The Most Out Of Your Local Public Relations

I recommend a term of between 3-5 days, starting at 7.15am on a Tuesday and finishing either Saturday or Sunday at the close of business. During your time at Thyme & Tides you will be treated as part of the team. No other delegates will join the academy during your stay and each days content will be tailored so you get the maximum benefit from this experience. We have a very professional, well trained, committed and friendly mix of people working here, all who understand what you are aiming to achieve during your time with Thyme & Tides.

Beyond your visit we can still help you on your way to opening. I would also be happy to assist you in person at your sites future opening to ensure a smooth opening day, with additional staff training available on site.

The Bit That Mentions The MONEY!!!

We’d be rather silly not to charge for this unique experience, having spent time gaining the essence that we hope will continue to make our business a success into the future… we don’t know it all, we’re all learning daily which is the fun bit!

Single Delegate Daily Rate: £350 + VAT

Two Delegate daily Rate (from same company): £250 + VAT each

Where We Are

Stockbridge is situated in the beautiful Test valley in Hampshire. We’re 10 minutes from the A303 and have 2 main line train stations nearby at Winchester and Andover both within an hour of London. For more information, please see the Contact page.

In conclusion…

I need no convincing that financing training time at Thyme & Tides will do one of two things:-

A Confirm that opening a deli really is the dream that you want to achieve!

or

B Scare the living daylights out of you. You’ll stay where you are thanks!

Please feel free to contact myself (Iain Hemming, iain@thymeandtidesdeli.co.uk) or Sally with any other questions you might have. If you would like references from other clients I have previously worked with please ask.

Places to Stay