Desert Island Stores: Matthew Bourne of COOK
Here we have the latest interview in our Desert Island Stores series where Glynn Davis asks leading retailers about their favourite and most memorable stores.
Matthew Bourne is retail director at COOK, the Kent based producer of award-winning frozen meals that are sold through its own portfolio of stores, online, and via third-party retailers.
The store you remember from childhood?
I have very fond memories of visiting Woolworths in Sevenoaks. We used to go swimming every Saturday morning at Sevenoaks Leisure Centre, and as I swam, I would be thinking about what records and later on which CDs to buy. I would always spend too much of my pocket money buying music and would always have to sweet talk my Mum into giving me a little more money so I could also visit the pick n mix area. Our Saturdays would also include a trip to the Plaxtol Village Bakery on the High Street, and both my sisters would have to go to Pauline Lovells, which was in the Shambles, so they could return home and make lots of jewellery, whilst I was blaring out my new music, and annoying my parents.
Most inspirational store to your career?
I’ve always been obsessed by food shops, and even now, I must walk around a supermarket when I’m visiting another country. I remember when Whole Foods Market first came to the UK, and it was just so exciting to see so many different ingredients from small artisan companies, and all sold in an engaging, social environment, stopping to shop halfway through to grab a coffee and sit around a big table chatting to fellow shoppers. They had got it right with engaged and happy teams, and a real sense of community. They also knew their product knowledge.
Then a couple of years ago I went to Portland, USA where there is a local independent chain called New Seasons Market who are socially responsible (a fellow B Corp), and have an impressive workplace culture of collaboration, which is everything I love, and what we strive to deliver at COOK.
Most frequently used store?
So I take my hat off to the M&S team and Stuart Machin. We both opened new stores together in Stane Retail Park, Colchester and they have completely reinvented the shopping experience, with the bricks and mortar environment looking great, and especially in the food halls. I live in London, so I visit many different branches, and I would also say that the teams working in the shops are happy and enjoying the buzz too. I got married in May, and I visited the Westfield M&S in White City, and I remember a great gentlemen called Tuncan. He could not have done more to make sure I had the right suit, which fitted me perfectly.
The store you wished you’d created?
Oliver Bonas! I think it’s great. Their teams are friendly and clearly love being part of the business. Their buyers have such a great eye for design, and I just wish they would start selling men’s clothing. I’m always passing the St Pancras store, and often swing past to pick something up for a gift, or something for the house. The team are always friendly and want to chat.
Your overall favourite store?
I must go back to food retail routes and say that you could lose me in any foodie emporium, whether that is a great farm shop like Hollies Farm Shop in Tarporley, Chester, or Macknade’s in Faversham, Kent. Oh, and I think Selfridges Food Hall is pretty special too.
The store you’d like to take to the desert island?
Well, this is always going to be a tough one, as it could be any of the above, but I think it would put my practical head on and probably give the cop-out answer and say I would take John Lewis Oxford Street. That way, I would never need for anything.
