Smoothie Express steams into Metquarter

Featured in the Liverpool Daily Post:

A Liverpool entrepreneur has launched a smoothie and health drink outlet in the heart of the city’s Metquarter.

His business, Smoothie Express, has been given a central location in the upmarket shopping centre, selling freshly created smoothies and fresh fruit Juices.

Founder Mark Paddock has secured a contract to sell smoothies - and provide shoppers with information explaining the benefits of the ingredients.

His new business has been helped by support group Dream High and their enterprise facilitator Claire Chang – and now he is planning to expand the Smoothie Express brand beyond Merseyside.

“I probably wouldn’t have got so far if it wasn’t for Claire and her panel of volunteer business advisers,” said Mark.

“I have been given advice on all sorts of problems and also I have been introduced to some very useful contacts. It is very exciting to launch my business in such a prestigious shopping centre and I intend to progress to sell healthy, low fat sandwiches, snacks and soups and to spread the Smoothie Express brand as far as possible.”

Mark, 25, of West Derby, is a keep fit enthusiast with a passion for healthy eating. “I have always advised other people about how to eat well so it seemed a natural progression to start a business based on good, nutritionally balanced food and drink. I would like more people to think about having a healthy smoothie rather than a coffee, fizzy drink or milk shake.”

Jennina O'Neill, marketing manager at Metquarter, said: "We're delighted to welcome Smoothie Express to the mall; it is a welcome addition to the retail mix here and we are delighted to offer our customers such a healthy range of smoothies throughout the forthcoming summer months.”

Smoothie Express fruit facts:

Banana: Great source of energy, fibre, folic acid magnesium and potassium. Because of high potassium levels bananas are good for maintaining blood pressure, heart function as well as aiding digestion.
Cherries: Very rich in anthocyannins (the stuff that makes them red), which have shown to sooth pain and inflammation - high in antioxidants, high in iron therefore great for the blood.
Kiwi: Loads of vitamin C and as much potassium as bananas which would regulate blood pressure.
Peaches: Naturally sweet and full of vitamins A & C, used in Chinese medicine to moisten lungs and intestines.
Pineapple: Rich in bromelain (an enzyme), which is helpful for arthritis, angina and physical injury. Pineapple can aid digestion and help reduce swelling and inflammations.
Raspberries: Full of vitamin A, B and C, Iron, Potassium (good for blood pressure and heart function). They also help cleanse the blood of toxins. They are also good for skin disorders like eczema.
Strawberry: Contains loads of anti-arthritic photochemical, beta carotene, potassium, vitamin C and E and is full of potent antioxidants.