Pond Cottage - in front of Jempson's Peasmarsh

But the high overhead cost of operating this type of business could not be sustained and by then end of the decade Jempsons faced a crisis. A make or break decision was taken in 1972. It was decided to concentrate resources at Peasmarsh as George's original shop was redeveloped into a 2 000sq ft self-service store. Business was so brisk that within four years of opening the new store, car parking had become a problem and the store needed enlarging. Another bold decision loomed and the family bought an adjoining field to create additional parking and doubled the size of the store.
By 1979 history had repeated itself and a further 2000sq ft was added to the store. The expansion of the self-service store and its upgrading to Super VG status led to the gradual withdrawal of the delivery service. Jempsons customers were becoming more mobile and they enjoyed their visits to the store! The Jempson formula really worked for in 1981, a mere nine years after that watershed decision, the store was
extended by a further 4000 sq. feet. The store had grown by five times in less than ten years.
They acquired adjoining land and Pond Cottage, a listed building, thereby creating a site of nearly six acres. Over the next two years drainage and landscaping work had created a level site and in 1992 a newly constructed filling station was opened. A year later Pond Cottage was renovated and converted into a delightful restaurant and much welcomed tea room. In 1997 Stephen and Andrew Jempson achieved another landmark by obtaining planning consent for a 30,000 sq ft. superstore to be built on the same site (albeit considerately extended) chosen by their grand-
father 62 years earlier. The new superstore opened in January 2002. Jempsons, true to their origins as bakers, have traditional bakerery and coffee shops in nearby Rye and Hastings.

©Andrew & Stephen Jempson