A FAMILY business is set to open its first shop to customers in Maldon after years of success at farmers' markets.

New pie and deli shop, Hoskyn’s Deli is open at 179 High Street in Maldon from today.

The business is run by mum Karen Leach, son Harry and daughter Charlotte.

The heads of the family, nan Jennifer and grandad James work behind the scenes and at the farmer's markets attended by the business in Essex and Suffolk.

Hoskyn’s Deli was established in 2019 but has a history going all the way back to the early 1900s.

Maldon and Burnham Standard: Historic business: the company dates back to the early 1900sHistoric business: the company dates back to the early 1900s (Image: Hoskyn's)

The Maldon shop will be split with a pie room featuring sides and more to take away and a deli-style counter with homecooked meats, Italian deli meats and a big range of cold mixed salads.

The business won a bronze award in the British Pie Awards 2023 chicken and vegetable/ herb pie category.

The business also plans to include some Mediterranean-style foods inspired by their time living in Spain.

Harry Leach said: “Hoskyn’s started in 2019 as a handmade pie business, we make a range of savoury pies.

Maldon and Burnham Standard: Family business: Charlotte, Karen and HarryFamily business: Charlotte, Karen and Harry (Image: Hoskyn's)

“About a year later we added local cheeses from Norfolk and Suffolk.

“We worked predominantly at farmers markets in Suffolk and Essex and now we’re taking the plunge to open our first deli.

“We decided to go with the name Hoskyn’s because my grandad's second name is Hoskyn but he had three daughters, so the name ends with him.

“So we chose to call the business Hoskyn’s so the name will continue.

Maldon and Burnham Standard: Family run: Charlotte, Karen, James, Jennifer and HarryFamily run: Charlotte, Karen, James, Jennifer and Harry (Image: Hoskyn's)

“I was born in Spain on the south coast and grew up there, so we are looking at doing some Spanish-themed foods including freshly cooked paella.

“We working with local producers from people we’ve connected with at farmers' markets.

“Our main ethos is to support other local businesses so everything we do we try to keep as local as possible.

“Opening up our own shop is long overdue now, so we are all excited.

Maldon and Burnham Standard: Maldon shop: inside the new deliMaldon shop: inside the new deli (Image: Hoskyn's)

“I feel confident in what we're doing, we have a catering business so we are used to cooking on a larger scale.

“I’m feeling pretty confident, but don’t get me wrong there’s still some nerves.”

The deli will be open six days a week from Tuesday to Sunday.