What new ownership could mean for The Bodhi Tree Health Store in Bury St Edmunds

A popular health food shop is set to reopen under new management with a French flavour.

The Bodhi Tree Health Store in The Traverse, Bury St Edmunds, has been taken on by Christel Gleyze - who has previously worked in a vineyard and has grown her own produce.

The 55-year-old said: “ I took the shop because I like natural products and organic food.

“I like to have social contact with people. I like to exchange between different countries and learn more about them.”

Ms Gleyze is from the south of France, where her two daughters still live.

She moved to England three years ago, and is now based in Framlingham - having previously run a French café.

The Bodhi Tree Health Store has won praise from customers around West Suffolk for its environmentally friendly products and organic health foods, such as local honey, and baking ingredients.

The shop reopened last month with social distancing measures in place, such as limiting the number of customers.

The business has also joined forces with Ethical Eats, a new Deliveroo-style service run exclusively around Bury for vegan products.

Ms Gleyze, who is looking to improve her English, said there will be two part-time, and one full-time staff member.

“I would like this to be a friendly and welcoming shop, and to see fresh organic vegetables, and maybe French products.”

She added: “I hope to see a lot of customers too supporting an independent local shop to survive during this period.”