Barrow Boys, a popular greengrocer located on Ryde High Street, has announced its closure after more than 10 years in business.
The family-run, independent greengrocer has been well known for selling all sorts of quality fruit and veg, alongside extras such as flowers and even Christmas trees. Its £1 fruit bowls have always gone down a treat.
However, it has been revealed that after more than 20 years of serving the Isle of Wight community – 10 years of which have been in Ryde – the business has closed its doors for good.
In a statement, proprietor Leslie Schaverien has said:
“To all our wonderful customers, we have made a decision to close our doors at Barrow Boys.
“I have decided to retire and my sons [James and Thomas] have made a decision to go in to another line of business.
“We would like to thank everyone kindly that have shopped with us over the last 10 years. Thank you for your custom, support and loyalty over the years, because without you, we wouldn’t have been so successful and as popular as we have been here in Ryde”.
The business initially opened in Sandown, before moving to the former Gilham greengrocer premises in Ryde. With business booming the shop expanded into next door – the former Charlie’s/Hamilton’s butchers. In 2017, an online shop was launched to allow for Island-wide orders to be made and delivered.
After the pandemic it was suggested by the firm that shoppers were flocking back to the supermarkets.
It’s a bad start to the New Year for the High Street in Ryde as the closure of the outlet leaves yet another 2 properties empty.


























































































shame as it was a good shop…
mind you, it is a wonder anyone wants to open a shop these days, as you are expected to work your butt off, just to hand over your hard earned revenue to the thieves at the council under the heading of business rates and rent to a greedy landlord.
as the council don’t do any of the actual work in the business, then they should not be entitled to take any money from it – business rates are just legalised theft
Another one who doesn’t know what they are talking about.
IW Council gets none of the business rates! it all goes to the Government, take it up with them.
where do you think the vast majority of isle of wight council funding comes from- that is right, the government – so the council do get it – perhaps you should brush up on your knowledge before commenting.
oh and by the way…
Currently local government, collectively retains half of the income from business rates, the other half is paid by councils to central government, which uses the income to fund grants to local authorities.
..in other words – the council end up with most of it, one way or the other – legalised theft from business owners
Stop paying the council tax I did over two years ago lol
Such a shame and always busy! Surely someone out there who could purchase this business. x
F that for a game of soldiers, do you know how much work is involved in running such an operation and working on such a low profit margin.
Especially as so many people now work from the comfort of their own home.
Nothing but a mugs game.
Very sad news for the high street but unfortunately if Woolworths can’t make it, no one can.
Enjoy your thoroughly well deserved retirement, can’t say l blame yer.
maybe farmhouse fare newport
What a shame they are closing, good quality stuff. Hardly any good shops left in Ryde now. Too much greed from the authorities wanting more money from small traders than they are making. They should be given encouragement from the council for trying to make an effort to serve the people, but there, it’s not about the people is it? It’s about the money pot.
Very sad news, great shop.
It’s the WEFs plan to close down all small independent businesses.
So many people sadly do not even know who the WEF are
Look up World Economic Forum and you will be shocked what’s coming.
4th Industrial Revolution baby.
Very true. I discovered them a year ago but have been around for some time. When you talk about it some think you’re a nutter. But it’s all there to be seen on their website. Just google the WEF. Our PM is a fully paid up member as is our king.
The WEF are the ones that created “The great reset”. Their plan is to create a “stakeholder economy”. What this means is that you will own nothing and rent everything. And when the central bank digital currency is turned on, they will be able to remove all your belongings at a flick of a switch. It is insane what they have planned for us all. Google it. It will blow your mind.
Does this mean that all the rich people will lose all their mansions, and then be divided up amongst the peasants.
Shock, horror, BRING IT ON.
15 minute cities are already being implemented in Oxford.
They don’t want vehicles on the Road.
It’s coming, people better wake up before it’s too late.
Stay safe.
They don’t want vehicles on the road ?
What is wrong with that ?
AS LONG AS THIS APPLIES TO ALL COUNTRYS AND CONTINENTS.
Not a problem.
The Potatoes McDonalds use for their fries are grown by
Bill Gates, not only is Bill in charge of World Health, he is one of the
World’s biggest potato suppliers.
So much goes on in the world and people are oblivious,
Hence McDonalds are going to promote vaccines on their packaging.
That’s my days of going to McDonalds over, not that I ever went anyway.
Don’t know how Bill Gates finds the time for all his nefarious activities OR perhaps conspiracy theorists are confusing him with Dr No or Goldfinger. Spoiler Alert: James Bond is actually a fictional character. Can’t wait for the forthcoming movie Spudfinger. Beam me up Bill.
What? Global superpowers are now targeting local greengrocers in Ryde. The end must be nigh. It’ll be charity shops next. Does their evil know no bounds. What a load of nonsense.
Thanks for your service. Expect Ryde T C, will re open as another cultural centre.
I’m hoping for another estate agents or hairdressers! lol
Or maybe we will get really lucky and get another charity shop.
Likely just a flat or two, with some dusky male lurking in the doorway with a puffer jacket on and mobile in hand.
Such is the fate of many of our once High Streets now.
Sad news, main reason I went into the town was to get their excellent quality produce. Hope the owner has a long and happy retirement
What with m and co closing down too who’s going to be next? It’s only January! What with taxes and wages going up in April there’s bound to be more
Such a sad and big loss to Ryde hope you have a well deserved rest. Had a wide range of fruit and vegetables and plenty of laughs all the best
Catching the midnight ferry to go loaded up with produce then unload at the shop before opening then working all day. Great staff all of them. Working for sod all. How many people would do that.?
Great shame. And I thought there was a movement back to non-packaged local whole foods.
All the best to them, nice oranges.