Popular fruit and veg stall at a Bradford garden centre extends opening hours

A family run fruit and veg stall at a Bradford garden centre has extended its opening hours due to public demand.

Porters Fruit and Vegetable stalls have been a familiar sight outside hospitals in the region since 2016 and they recently trialled a stall at Tong Garden Centre in Bradford. Such was the success of the Friday to Sunday trading that they have added an extra two days.

“The Porter family have a wealth of knowledge and insight into the fruit and vegetable trade. Father Richard started in the industry at the age of 16 and was delighted when his son, Richard and daughter, Chelsea, joined him to grow the business. We’re really pleased that they’re now here at the entrance to Tong from 9 am to 5 pm Wednesday to Sunday,” said Tong’s Centre Manager, Paul Adams.

Mr Porter senior said: “The business is strictly family-run. My daughter is at Tong from Wednesday to Friday, my son runs it on Saturday, and I’m old and don’t go out Saturday night, so I run it on Sunday!

“Our day starts at 1.30 am with a visit to the wholesalers to select the freshest produce for our customers. We arrive at Tong at 6 am and are ready to start trading when the doors open at 9 am. We love our days at Tong and the customers appreciate the quality of our produce.

“We sell a wide range of fruit and vegetables, including exotics, that customers can pre-order for collection the following day.”

Porters is one of several retail partners at the Tong Lane site, which also includes Edinburgh Woollen Mill, Pavers, and Julian Charles Home.

Tong Garden Centre is part of the Yorkshire Garden Centres family, which also includes Tingley, Otley, and Bingley Garden Centres and Dean’s York and Scarborough.