Our Story
Healthy Living since 1977
Since 1977, when Herbal and Homeopathic remedies were little known, the Natural Food Store has worked tirelessly to keep the people of East Anglia healthy, naturally.
Est. 1977
In the early 1960’s, Taylors Health Food Store in Lower Goat Lane was founded by Victor Kennedy, one of the pioneers of the health food trade. Victor’s niece, Trish Stephenson took over the reins and in 1977, opened the Natural Food Store on Exchange Street.
Friendly
Having a knowledgeable and approachable team to advise customers is the cornerstone of the business. Without this, we couldn’t have survived over 40 years of high street trading.
Meet Us!
It’s this great team that you meet when you pop in and visit us, or that you speak to on the phone. Each member of the team plays a vital role in ensuring we can help you in the best way possible.
Why We Are Unique
How many visitors will remember Taylor’s Health Food Store from the early 1960’s – hidden away in the lanes of Norwich on Lower Goat Lane? Here you would have found Trish’s uncle, Victor Kennedy, one of the pioneers of the health food movement. Victor busily sold many early, fascinating and remarkably effective remedies – including Taylor’s Brain and Nerve Pills, packed in their distinctive little red hat box style pot and a strange smelling powder in little packets to restore hair growth to chilly heads! We’d love to hear your memories of Taylor’s! Those were the days of dusty sacks of brown rice, rich smelling molasses and the beginnings of Swiss muesli.
From an earlier career in teaching and the IT industry these family links to the health food movement prevailed and when a little shop opposite Jarrold’s in Exchange Street became vacant Trish took the bold step of opening her own health food store. In the Natural Food Store’s early days the focus was mainly on whole foods and over time it has become the city’s main independent complementary medicine store, offering a wide range of nutritional, herbal and homeopathic remedies.
A committed supporter at local and national level of the health food movement, Trish has championed the cause of Herbal remedies, won awards for innovative product design, received awards of excellence and been awarded the coveted Fellowship of the Institute of Health Food Retailers. This remarkable little store holds the outstanding accolade of being awarded the top health store in the UK for excellence in nutritional knowledge, as well as the award for individual knowledge in nutritional excellence and was also the first store in Norwich to be awarded a Polite Society award.
Staff training and education have always been integral to maintaining a responsible business. Each member of staff has always been encouraged to reach their full potential with many training as professional practitioners in their own right. Previous members of the team now work as far afield as Australia and New Zealand, all still passionate about natural remedies!
“Within such a challenging environment our specialist knowledge in herbal and nutritional supplements is our strength” says Trish. “By investing heavily in staff training we are able to provide a professional, informative customer service to a unique standard. Our small, yet vibrant, business provides our customers with Registered Homeopaths, Herbalists and Nutritional Advisors to offer advice and guidance, all on the shop floor”.
Despite competition from the high street retailers, The Natural Food Store remains an independent family business. Many customers will remember Trevor Graves, Trish’s cousin who worked in the shop for over 25 years until 2004. Angela joined the team in 1999 and is married to Trish’s only son, Tim. Their children, Sam and Ellie were born in 2011 and 2013 and today they are regular visitors to the shop. In a few years they may just be helping you find which remedies are best for you!
What Customers Are Saying
“Angela and the team are kind, thoughtful and very insightful in their knowledge and recommendations. I’ve personally been through a very difficult year with digestive issues and The Natural Food Store has been a significant part of my recovery. They don’t try to suggest loads of confusing options they simply recommend what is right for your needs and how to best ease any symptoms. Amazing team!”
Natasha M
“Angela and her team are friendly, knowledgeable and extremely helpful in finding the right product for your needs. And they’re especially careful to ask the right questions to ensure they don’t sell you a product which might counteract anything you may have been prescribed by your Dr. Definitely my go to place when I need those pick me ups to keep me on top form as a busy working mum! Thanks team!”
Alison C
“Not sure I’m truly qualified to comment, since I’ve only known the store for 15 years or so. I visit a lot of health stores on my travels and Norwich’s finest is genuinely one of the best; knowledge, service, product quality. It’s not the largest store and so doesn’t keep every brand but that makes them more selective. No faddy products to make a quick buck, just brilliant practitioner-level advice, which is what really counts!!”
Earle L
How can we help you?
We’re here to help! Nothing is too much trouble for our amazing team.
Please pop in to our Exchange Street shop when we’re open, email us, message us on social media or simply pick up the phone!