Royal William Yard is welcoming its newest retailer, as Natural Source is poised to open at the popular Plymouth destination. The grocery and farm shop – the first business venture of 23-year-old Plymouth local Jessica Ferguson – will bring daily-delivered, locally sourced produce from across Devon and Cornwall to the waterfront destination.

Natural Source becomes the fourth business to join Arcade, taking up residence in Unit 3, set alongside Nala's Pet Co, Pebble womenswear boutique, and DockSide Coffee Bar. Arcade is a collection of flexible retail units set within the Grade I listed Brewhouse building, facing the marina at the heart of the historic Royal William Yard.

Rooted in Plymouth

Jessica Ferguson has always wanted to start a business that impacts and serves the community. Born and raised in Plymouth, she went to school at Sir John Hunt Community Sports College, lives minutes from the Yard, and swims in the sea as part of the local open water collective – so is firmly rooted in the local community. The decision to take the leap came after a corporate job and a trip that changed her thinking entirely.

While travelling in Australia and living on the Gold Coast, Jessica found herself struck by how food and lifestyle fed into each other. An early-rising, active culture had produced a food scene to match: fresh, health-focused groceries in central, accessible locations, stocking quality produce as a matter of course. The contrast with home was sharp.

“They have farm shop style groceries in central accessible locations, selling quality produce,” Jessica explains. “We don't have that in Plymouth. Farm shops are based outside of the city, and not in accessible central locations where people could really benefit from them. I think there's a good market for this in Plymouth. This is a seaside location, close to good produce, and with communities living active outdoor lifestyles, or who want to enjoy good local produce.”

Back home, the gap felt clear. Plymouth is a coastal city surrounded by outstanding producers, with strong outdoor and sea swimming communities and a daily flow of visitors who want to taste the South West. Royal William Yard – sitting on the peninsula, looking out over Plymouth and Cornwall – felt like exactly the right place to set up shop. Plymouth’s active community is growing, and Jessica wanted to create a space where people can shop consciously, fuel their bodies well, and support local producers at the same time.

The shop floor

Natural Source is built on a simple but considered premise: food that’s good for your body starts with what you put into it. Jessica will work with local butchers, bakeries and Devon-farmed produce wherever possible, bringing in fresh deliveries daily – seasonal fruit and veg, dairy, freshly baked sourdough and more.

The range is broad enough to cover a full shop but curated carefully enough to tell a story. South Devon Chilli Farm produce, Sea Sisters Cornish canned fish, Cornwall Pasta, and Black Dog Honey feature alongside local chocolates and artisan treats. Plans are in place to introduce handmade high-protein and nutrient-dense pick-ups for breakfast and snacking on the go, freshly made health shots and juices, and picnic staples as the shop grows.

A pescatarian herself, with a long-held interest in health and nutrition, Jessica brings genuine understanding to plant-based and vegetarian requirements. Where meat is stocked, it comes from farms with strong ethical credentials – and nothing will be stocked without thought.

Made for the Yard

As a gym-goer and sea swimmer currently training for the Breakwater swim and River Dart 10k swim – both for charity – Jessica knows what it means to fuel an active body well. She is keen to build connections with Plymouth’s wider fitness community too, from local gyms and running clubs to outdoor groups. Natural Source has been designed with that same range of people in mind: morning swimmers heading back through the Yard, workers grabbing a proper lunch, families on a day out, residents picking up dinner on their way home.

Inside, the fit-out uses natural materials and OSB boarding that echoes the industrial character of the Brewhouse building. A bakery window, shelving and thoughtful display zones make the space easy to browse and genuinely inviting. The shop will open in early June and operate six days a week:

Tuesday–Friday: 9am - 6pm

Saturday: 9am - 4pm

Sunday: 9am - 2pm

Monday: Closed

Jessica Ferguson, Founder of Natural Source, said: “I've always wanted my own business that impacts and serves the community, and this really is a dream come true. I want Natural Source to be somewhere people discover something new and come back to regularly. This coastline is surrounded by incredible produce, and Royal William Yard is the perfect place to bring it all together. The location says everything – right on the Plymouth waterfront, looking out over Cornwall, surrounded by a community who care about good food and good living. I can't wait to open the doors.”

A welcome addition to Arcade

Richard Lace, Head of Commercial Lettings at Urban Splash, said: “Jessica brings real conviction to Natural Source – she knows her customer, she knows her produce, and she has a clear sense of what this shop can be. A daily-stocked, quality farm shop concept at Royal William Yard fills a genuine gap and adds something new to what Arcade offers. Jessica is exactly the kind of independent business owner we want to support here – passionate, purposeful and with deep local roots. We can't wait to see what she builds.”

With monthly licensing options and longer-term leases of up to six years available, Arcade continues to offer flexible opportunities for businesses across retail, leisure and hospitality with the units featuring roller shutters for independent operation, set within striking industrial heritage surroundings and a popular destination that attracts one million visitors a year.