Today We Celebrate Jacqui Cronin from The Platter Company Gourmet Market & Table 10
This International Women’s Day, we’re celebrating women whose businesses are built on heart, connection, and the courage to bring their vision to life. Today, we’re proud to spotlight Jacqui Cronin, the owner of The Platter Company Gourmet Market & Table 10, a beloved Aldershot destination where food, community, and relationships come together every day.
Building Something Local, Close to Home
Jacqui chose Aldershot for a simple but powerful reason: it’s home.
Starting her business close to where she lives allowed her to be hands-on, present, and deeply invested in the neighbourhood she serves. For Jacqui, entrepreneurship isn’t just about running a shop — it’s about building something meaningful within the community she’s part of.
What she loves most about Aldershot is the opportunity to form real relationships with customers, collaborate with fellow local businesses, and contribute to something bigger than herself. That sense of connection is what makes this community so special.
Giving Back Through Food, Warmth, and Support
This year’s International Women’s Day is all about support and connection — and for Jacqui, that connection happens naturally through food.
At The Platter Company, the goal has always been to create a space where people feel welcome, valued, and supported through life’s happiest moments and even its hardest ones. Food has a unique way of bringing people together — over shared meals, conversations, and familiar faces.
Jacqui and her team take pride in building relationships with their customers: learning names, remembering favourites, and creating an atmosphere that feels like home.
As Jacqui beautifully puts it: “Food hugs.”
Navigating the Challenges of the Food Industry
Running a food business comes with constant challenges, and one of the biggest is balancing quality, costs, and consistency.
Food prices fluctuate, supply chains can be unpredictable, and operating costs continue to rise — yet customers still deserve high-quality products at fair prices. Managing those pressures takes flexibility, attention, and an unwavering commitment to standards.
Jacqui credits the Aldershot community as a huge source of strength. Loyal customers who continue to support local businesses — especially during slower seasons or challenging economic times — make a real difference.
And behind the scenes, Jacqui is supported by what she calls the best team anyone could dream of. The Platter Company is more than a workplace — it’s a family, built on love, support, and shared passion.
The Power of the Aldershot Business Community
Being part of the Aldershot Business Community has helped Jacqui strengthen her presence and deepen her connections.
Through local events, networking opportunities, and collaborations, The Platter Company has been able to connect with more residents and grow alongside other small businesses. Jacqui values the relationships with neighbouring businesses, where owners recommend one another and help create a strong “shop local” culture.
Together, they’ve helped transform their plaza into a true foodie destination — a place where community and commerce thrive side by side.
Advice for Women Starting a Business in Aldershot
Jacqui’s advice to women thinking about starting a business is heartfelt and empowering:
Trust your instincts.
As women, she notes, we often second-guess ourselves — but it’s your creativity, perspective, and drive that brought you here. Stay adaptable, but remain true to your vision. Be willing to learn, ask for advice, and lean on others when needed.
And perhaps her most memorable analogy:
Starting a business is like becoming a new parent.
It’s your newborn.
There’s no instruction manual — but you will find your way.
This International Women’s Day, we celebrate Jacqui Cronin for creating a space where food becomes connection, community becomes family, and Aldershot feels a little more like home. 💜✨
Jacqui Cronin
The Platter Company
175 Plains Road E, Unit 1
📍 💜 Aldershot
