BUSINESS partners who left the bright lights of London to run a farm shop in Essex are celebrating one year in their new venture.

Jenny Spencer and Jo O’Boyle took over the running of Spencer’s Farm Shop in Wickham St Paul on March 1 last year.

Prior to running the shop Jo worked in brand and marketing for Marks & Spencer while Jenny worked at British Rowing.

But they both decided to move to the village to escape the pressure of city life.

Jenny has now become the third generation of her family to run the shop.

Since the duo took over running the business it has gone from strength to strength and seen them pick up awards.

Jo said: “For me, the move was about lifestyle and about having more family time and a different work life balance.

“We have been running the shop for a year now and we have made some changes, introducing lots of new local suppliers and we now make our own candles and sell them.

“We now have so many plans for next year, two years and five years.

“The first year has been about stabilising the business and getting it back to where it was.

“We wanted to make the farm shop a really good place to come for fresh quality produce.”

The pair hope to increase the range of gifts they sell and make the shop an attraction for families.

Jo added: “We want to make it a family destination so that people will come here for a day and spend a few hours looking around and going on the play area.”

The shop will be running giveaways as part of their anniversary.

It will also host an Easter Egg hunt on April 15 from 11am to 3pm. Entry is £3 per child.

To book a place, call 01787267977.