She was formerly a registered nurse, but Emma Ramsden knew when she heard that the local Green shop might be up for sale that this was something special.

She took ownership of the shop in May 2017, and it was quite a legacy; the shop, one of the first green stores, had been in the same location for over 12 years, but in Midsomer Norton for a total of at least 20 years.

Emma, who also worked as a health visitor, decided on a change when she herself had a major health issue and as she was already a regular customer at the shop it was a meeting of minds.

She said: " I really loved the staff, the products and feel of the place."

Emma had been wanting to run a health food shop for many years after living in Bristol and using health food shops on the Gloucester Road.

She grew up in Frome and praises Frome Wholefoods and The Garden Cafe as "inspirational, particularly as they were trailblazers in the area at the time. The spicy cashew nut patties from the Garden Cafe were my favourite hangover cure as a teenager in the 1990's."

Emma's grandparents were also very much into wholefoods and general nutrition, so she grew up with conversations about the relationship between health and food.

Emma said: " When I needed to address issues that were happening with my own health, that's what I came back to. It felt like going full circle and coming back home again. A very good feeling."

The Green Shop is at 10 South Road and is open

Wednesday 9am–5pm

Friday 9am–5pm

Sunday Closed