Husband and wife team’s new store

11:11am Monday 12th May 2008

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While husband Jim Hardie takes care of the drink at the Blue Bell, in Fossgate, York, Sue Hardie takes a walk down the road to sell the food.

The landlord's wife has just opened The Hairy Fig, a peach stone's throw away from their pub - a traditional deli-grocers, serving hams, health food and continental specialities.

And while Jim has beer and wine on tap, Sue has draught fruit balsamics in raspberry, date and fig flavour - "great to drizzle on ice cream or salads," she said.

The shop, next door to the Merchant Adventurers' Hall gateway, sells gluten-free food as well as food fit for vegetarians. Was starting it easier than being a pub landlady? "No, it has been very stressful, but now that it is set up and running, the crowds are coming in," she said.