MURRAYS of clevedon

Murrays of Clevedon
87 Hill Road
Clevedon
BS21 7PN

01275 341555

This month flavour pays a visit to Murrays of Clevedon who are celebrating their 25th anniversary and the beginning of an exciting new chapter…

With Cadbury having finally proven themselves powerless to resist the avaricious advances of another American conglomerate, it’s time to face the reality that family run businesses have become a largely outmoded British institution, comprising a mere 8% of our current economic make up, compared with 30% in France and 36% in Germany.

No one feels the weight of these statistics more than the people who they apply to. One such man is 32-year-old Reuben Murray (pictured right), who runs an Italian deli, restaurant and wine shop in Clevedon alongside his two brothers and parents. “We’ve made some memorable trips to suppliers throughout Italy over the years the Balsamic producers in Modena were a real highlight for me personally. Almost without exception, the family will sit you down and talk you through their products for as long as you’re happy to listen. There’s no doubt in my mind that the whole idea of the family means so much more on the Continent.”

Perhaps it’s the Murray family’s Italian roots that have drawn them towards a similar way of life. Having emigrated from Italy after the Second World War, Reuben’s grandmother set up and ran El Gardino, a café and ice cream parlour on Clevedon’s waterfront. Her son John inherited a customary love of food, and when a site became available, he and newly wed wife Gail set up a modest café which, over the last 25 years, has gradually developed into an exquisite emporium where patrons can not only wash down a plateful of 18 month dry cured Parma ham with a glass of Sicilian Syrah, but can pop next door and buy them too.

Reuben radiates a palpable enthusiasm for working with his family, and even admits to missing daily contact with his two brothers who are now overseeing the family’s recent acquisition Bristol’s flagship restaurant Bordeaux Quay. “There was never any pressure on us to work for mum and dad, but who wouldn’t want a job where you’re constantly searching out exciting new products from Italy’s best producers? As we get older and more involved so it gets more and more interesting. Running Bordeaux Quay is the next exciting challenge for us now.”

Talking animatedly about the family’s upcoming events and plans, there’s only one topic that seems to make Reuben’s smile drop: “I think Tesco are planning on doubling their size in Clevedon and the consequences for independent shops does concern me. I suppose I’ve been fortunate enough to have grown up eating really good food, and the thought of shopping in a supermarket turns my stomach.” He perks up again when explaining that the deli also acts as his personal larder, and that he can often be seen cycling home with pockets stuffed full of speciality bread!

Put simply, a trip to Murrays of Clevedon is a breath of fresh air; here you’ll find a shopping experience that puts misleading BOGOFs and self-service checkouts into a rather dreary perspective, and a family whose passion for serving great food will hopefully span at least another quarter of a century to come.