SAVVY businessman Mark Burch’s five-year vision to open a series of stores across Herefordshire and beyond is already bearing fruit – and vegetables, and much, much more.

Carrot & Wine opened its doors in Wormelow last summer, now Mark is performing his magic with a new business bearing the same name at Whitney-on-Wye, which is well on course to become a comprehensive ‘go-to’ venue.

Based in Pembrokeshire, Mark’s long-term aim is to develop five stores over the next few years, however he has managed to open two, at opposite ends of the county, in just over six months.

At Wormelow, a shop closed for three years reopened in great style last June, with an emphasis on selling local produce, having a deli counter and homemade meals. At Whitney, the shop is already open while a café is offering sandwiches and cake, though this is to be revamped in the next few weeks.

Carrot & Wine is all about “local and fresh”, Mark explains. Yes, customers will be able to buy their coffee and baked beans, but the store will be a destination for shoppers over a wide area from Hay-on-Wye, Kington, Knighton and beyond.

The emphasis will be on organic, he says. “We are totally organic – meat, milk, free range eggs, a gluten-free range and quality loose tea,” he says.

This is a businessman who gets the job done. This week, as well as overseeing the new enterprise at Whitney, he has been undertaking a postmaster’s course in Newport so that he can take charge of Wormelow’s Post Office.

“The plan was to get five Carrot & Wine stores going in five years but we have already opened two in six months!”

Having launched the successful operation at Wormelow, the chance to base a second business in the county came out of the blue.

“It was almost by mistake, after the farm shop at Whitney had closed, we were asked if we were interested in buying the equipment.”

He and his wife, Rebecca simply “fell in love” with the barn.

“It was so rustic and old, a very large space, it’s the perfect go-to venue.”

Mark had worked previously with an investment company and was “looking for a new challenge”. Carrot & Wine was born and his plans have received the guidance of a business consultant, while he has been busy with a marketing role.

“This opportunity at Whitney was just too good to pass up,” he said.

With so much to keep him on his toes in Herefordshire, it’s just possible that his family will relocate from Haverfordwest to Herefordshire.

“We have six children,” he says, “it is rather manic!”