A HEREFORDSHIRE delicatessen welcomed a celebrity today (Tuesday).

Reverend Richard Coles, who was on a day trip to Leominster with friends, popped into Drapers Lane Delicatessen for a spot of lunch. 

And he was so impressed with the eatery, the cleric, broadcaster, writer and former member of a band, left a note which said, 'smashing lunch. Great service - made our trip to Leominster.'

Ledbury Reporter: Reverend Richard Coles had 'a smashing lunch' at Drapers Lane Delicatessen in LeominsterReverend Richard Coles had 'a smashing lunch' at Drapers Lane Delicatessen in Leominster (Image: Drapers Lane Delicatessen)

Revd Coles first came to prominence as the multi-instrumentalist who partnered Jimmy Somerville in the 1980s band, the Communards. They achieved three UK top ten hits, including the number one record and best-selling single of 1986, a dance version of "Don't Leave Me This Way".

He regularly appears on radio and television, as well as in newspapers and, from 2011 to 2023, was the co-host of BBC Radio 4's Saturday Live programme.

Ledbury Reporter: Reverend Richard Coles with Samantha Morgan, who owns Drapers Lane Delicatessen in LeominsterReverend Richard Coles with Samantha Morgan, who owns Drapers Lane Delicatessen in Leominster (Image: Drapers Lane Delicatessen)

Revd Coles is also an author, the chancellor of the University of Northampton, a former honorary chaplain to the Worshipful Company of Leathersellers, and a patron of social housing project Greatwell Homes in Wellingborough.

Samantha Morgan, who owns the deli after setting it up in 2020, said: "We talked about the deli being one of eight national finalists in the Farm Shop & Deli Retailer Awards 2024, which were announced this week, and what an achievement it was for our business to have national recognition."

Drapers Lane Delicatessen, which was crowned the UK's ‘best small independent retailer of the year 2023’, is a charcuterie, patisserie, restaurant, hamper-maker, private caterer and coffee-shop that sells hard-to-find and speciality ingredients and accessories from home and abroad.

It has a 1940s vibe and takes you back to somewhere between traditional high street shops of years gone by to the smart, metropolitan delicatessens you'd find in larger cities in the UK or Italy, France or Spain.