A PARTICK couple whose business was forced to close during the pandemic have found success with their new fruit and veg delivery service.

Colin and Carla Ashby started their new enterprise in April after the COVID-19 pandemic meant their recently opened antique business had to close.

Ashby’s Fruit & Veg, located on Hyndland Street, opened when the family had to isolate early into lockdown and found their antique shop was exempt from furlough pay, having only been open since October of last year.

Colin stated the delivery service started off small before growing into a popular local provider for shops and homes within days.

He said: “During this time, we found it very difficult to get food delivered so I figured that this is the business to move into.

“It started off with me going to the fruit market, I loaded up my van with fruit and veg then we made it into 23 boxes and put them on Facebook for sale.

“It sold out over the weekend so we kept doing it then started supplying to local shops who were having difficult getting fruit and veg from their suppliers.”

As their business started to grow, the Ashby’s expanded their service, opening a shop and launching a website where customers could place orders.

He continued: “We chose this location because I used to live here and I know the area definitely needed it.

“My wife Carla started doing the Facebook ads and now manages the stock for the wholefoods and expand the range as the business has grown.

“The delivery service is essential as well. People I was delivering too were telling me they need this, they really wanted us to come back next week.

“There were people in positions like us who couldn’t get food delivered so this really was a big help to them.”

Ashby’s Fruit & Veg offer three types of boxes: the gift fruit basket, the large fruit box and the fresh fruit and veg box.

“We do standard boxes at £20 but most customers prefer to use our online shop to make their own box up and anything over £20 comes with free delivery,” Colin explained.

Ashby’s Fruit & Veg also provide a range of eco friendly sustainable home cleaning products which can also be viewed and purchased on their website.

Customers can collect their boxes in store on Hyndland Street or it can be delivered to them across the whole of Glasgow within 48 hours.