Worthing family sandwich business champions Sussex
THE history of Worthing family sandwich business Nibbles features all the ingredients of a soap opera.
Formed from heartbreak, shaped by controversy and dragged through the headlines, courtesy of a gambling addict's unsuccessful bid to murder his wife with one of their vans, drama has been on the menu since day one.
Wendi Knibbs started Nibbles in 2002 while struggling to make ends meet as a newly-single mother.
Confident that builders on a nearby site would react well to buying their lunchtime sandwiches from an attractive 20-something in a short skirt, the business went from strength to strength after local shops joined the customer list.
Controversial beginnings
Now based on an East Worthing trading estate, Nibbles supplies sandwiches to around 40 shops between Brighton, Littlehampton and Horsham and employs 10 staff, most of whom are family.
Their ultra-clean facility has attracted rave reviews from health inspectors and is a far cry from when the company was run from Wendi's Acacia Avenue home, the company headquarters from 2005 until the end of last year.
Despite being a key period in the success of the business, it was not without controversy.
In what can only be called a backhanded compliment, the planning committee described Nibbles as "a victim of its own success" when it ordered the company to find new premises after neighbours complained about noise.
Van tragedy
It was not the last time the Nibbles name made the news pages, as a driver's careless decision to leave the keys in the company van ignition while making a delivery last February had tragic consequences.
"Our van got stolen on the Wednesday morning," said Wendi.
"On the Saturday morning, we had a phone call from the police saying they were coming round.
"They had recovered the van, which was good news, but they also had some bad news.
"They said a woman had been hurt, she had been hit by the van in a hit and run and wasn't expected to live.
"My first question was 'is she a mother?' and they said yes. I was absolutely distraught."
Worst nightmare
Wendi sat in on the trial which convicted Martin Hewlett of attempting to kill his former wife, Anne, and she and her partner Mike Sellen thought only of the couple's children.
"My heart went out to the kids." said Wendi. "We were so upset. As parents ourselves, it was our worst nightmare."
The company's next project is a bid to promote the local values it holds dear; Sellen's Simply Sussex will be a range of sandwiches made using fresh, Sussex-only produce.
The new range will be sold in independent shops and will be symbolically launched at Goring News and Food in Aldsworth Parade, a local family business hit hard by the opening last year of a Tesco on its doorstep.
Sussex-only
"They're everything we stand for," said Wendi.
"A Sussex business run by two brothers for 13 years having to battle against Tesco's opening against them.
"These are shops people are going to go to because they are going to get products that Tesco's doesn't sell. We are really proud of it."
To add to the warm glow, 10p from every sandwich sold will go to the Bob Champion cancer trust, which was delighted to support the range.
Bob Champion himself, who famously won the 1981 Grand National on Aldaniti, trained by Findon's Josh Gifford, will launch the new range at the shop on May 22.
Proud achievements
"We are really proud of what we have achieved," said Wendi.
"Our new product range supports a charity with local links, supports local producers and supports local retailers.
"We hope to convey the message that consumers have the choice, and by buying local they keep their local community in business."
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Tuesday 14 February 2012
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