Geograph - photograph every grid square

It's probably not often that the term "much loved" could be applied to a chain of supermarkets, but in the case of Harry Tuffins is could fairly be described as that. The chain started in 1955 at Churchstoke in Powys, near the border with England. Over the following decades it slowly expanded in Wales and in the west of Shropshire and more recently into the Forest of Dean, in Gloucestershire, often in small places without other supermarkets. Eventually about ten stores were run by this family owned company.

The chain has been well known for its charitable activities in the local communities it serves, and on some sites its popular weekly car boot sales. The stores could be described as quirky but that is part of their appeal. In 2012 the whole chain was acquired by the Midcounties Co-operative, who are retaining the Harry Tuffin branding, and it must be hoped they will also retain the other aspects which have made the stores so popular.

The Knighton store, like many of the others, has its own fuel filling station. Unusually the building immediately to the right of the filling station is the store's own multi-storey car park. Only a few supermarkets in the UK can boast of one of those!