Business is booming for Mercato Italiano as it expands to a new premises.

The supplier of Italian delicacies started in 2013, mainly selling Italian food, meats and cheese from a supplier at Bridport Market and local food events.

But now, it has also set up shop at Dreadnought Trading Estate, offering customers even more.

Ilaria Padovani, owner of Mercato Italiano, said: "As the business grew, we started to imported everything directly from Italy.

"I have always worked with food so I knew it was what I wanted to do. And, for the first time, we have a shop.

"The plan is to be a shop and a coffee place, and at the moment we have panini and platters and looking to becoming a pizza venue and opening in the evening, have music - be an evening place as well.

"We had a lot of support during lockdown, we established Bridport Basket. It worked but now people can find us directly. I think, particularly after lockdown, people really do like to come in."

Customers can still buy online at mercatoitaliano.uk and get the Bridport Basket - which is made up of a selection of cheeses, salami, bread, seasonal local vegetables and bottle of wine all in one basket - and Mercato Italiano still sells goods around the UK.

The shop has proved a hit, attracting many customers in just the first few days of opening.

Ilaria added: "It's been good, it's been really nice and people have been really supportive. Many have come to check us out and have come back.

"I can offer more options here than at the market stall."

You can find Mercato Italiano at Unit 3B, Dreadnought Trading Estate, and it is open from 9am to 6pm, Monday to Saturday.

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