HAMPTONS in Penarth has undergone a significant transformation over the past year, and none more so than the upstairs food hall offering a grand selection of artisan food.

The Ludlow Lane store is set over two floors in a converted former Victorian market and meeting hall.

Owners Andy Bradshaw and Peter Knowles launched the Food Hall last year, and has plans to expand it, and were able to use the lockdown time over the Christmas period to do just that.

Now, Hamptons offers a wide range of world foods, artisan gins and beers, oils, dressings, chutneys, spices, chilled ready meals, meats and fish, gift hampers and more – all of which are from independent businesses across Wales and the UK.

Penarth Times: Co-owner Andy Bradshaw. Co-owner Andy Bradshaw.

“Being forced to close sort of worked in our favour,” said Mr Bradshaw.

“We did an eight week fit, including redecorating, and it meant that the Food Hall could be bigger.

Penarth Times: The Food Hall was made bigger during the Christmas lockdown The Food Hall was made bigger during the Christmas lockdown

“We’ve also tried to complement other businesses in Penarth, so we do cheese biscuits but we don’t do cheese because we already have a fabulous cheese shop – Fauvette.

“And we don’t do fruit and veg because we’ve got Windsor Fruit.

“All of our suppliers are small artisan companies.”

Penarth Times: There are a range of different products from independent companies that you would have trouble finding at a chain supermarket There are a range of different products from independent companies that you would have trouble finding at a chain supermarket

Penarth Times: Sweet tooth anyone? A variety of chocolate creations are available to buy Sweet tooth anyone? A variety of chocolate creations are available to buy

Mr Bradshaw has said the feedback from customers about the Food Hall has been nothing short of “fantastic”.

“On a weekend it’s really busy,” he added.

“There’s always people up here and it’s doing exactly what we’d hoped it would.”

Preparations have already started for Christmas orders this month as well, as they are hoping for a busy December.

“We have ordered quite a lot,” he added.

“One of our Italian companies have just brought out their Christmas catalogue – it looks absolutely fantastic and beautifully packaged.”

Penarth Times: Hamptons is located on Ludlow Lane Hamptons is located on Ludlow Lane