Yahoo News Lancashire shoppers say 'we love Booths too Kirstie Allsopp' and this is why
Just a few miles from the revered supermarket's head office in Preston the car park of Booths in Longridge is packed.
"That's nothing unusual," says regular Margaret Stones. "I come here once a day - and sometimes even more than that!"
Booths hit the headlines on LancsLive this week when TV presenter and property developer celebrity Kirstie Allsop hailed the supermarket on her maiden visit. She declared she would be moving to Yorkshire after "discovering" Booths in Ilkley. Lancastrians were of course quick to point out that Booths hails from this side of the border - but more striking in the replies was the affection which is held for the upmarket chain in these parts.
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Loved for its expansive deli counters and shelves stocked with local produce, Booths dates back more than 175 years to when founder Edwin Henry Booth opened his first store, The China House, in Blackpool.
By 1884 the Booths empire had expanded, with stores in Chorley, Preston, Lytham and Blackburn, and now has 28 supermarkets across the North of England. But, for those in Lancashire, Booths will always remain a local success story.
For Robert, pictured above, while Booths is slightly pricier than the likes of Tesco and Asda, "you get what you pay for".
"There's always plenty of staff too," he added. "My son used to work at another store near here and he was often working on his own but here there's always someone around to help and to serve you."
Winifred Slater, who lives nearby in Longridge, shops in Booths every week. "Everyone's friendly and knows who you are and the food is so fresh and top quality," she said.
"The food is sometimes a bit dearer but not much. And when they discount food it's not because it's been bashed about; there's nothing wrong with it other than it's a day or two within its best by date."
Mrs Moon, also from Longridge, added: "I've lived here all my life and wouldn't shop anywhere else. "Although there's this impression that it's more expensive, it's not really, and everything is always fresh and of the best quality.
"I like Booths because they sell food made locally and you feel like you're supporting local farmers.
"The staff are so helpful and friendly. It makes shopping enjoyable rather than a chore."
Joan Pye, a retired farmer from Beacon Fell, visits the Longridge store twice a week since she and her husband moved to the town. "I love the fact they stock food from local farmers," she said. "The food is such good quality and really good staff. Nothing is too much trouble for them."
The last word, though, goes to Ms Allsopp, from Hampstead, who, in the wake of her original post, added: "There have been a staggering number of replies to this post, an extraordinary indication of a shop that is clearly adored.
"I've never come across such affection for a supermarket, many congratulations to Booths for maintaining such a devoted community. They have a devoted fan base and should be very proud. Clearly it’s not just their excellent selection of products."
