FARM SHOPS Transforming your weekly shop into an experience

The gorgeous Garden Kitchen at Hartley Farm serves alfresco breakfast, lunch, coffee and cake

FRESH FROM THE FIELD

How farm shops became the surprising saviours of 2020

by Lydia Tewkesbury

It doesn’t get much more local than Hartley Farm, where they sell their own produce in the shop

There is a particular thrill of excitement I associate only point of view,” says Tom Bowles, the managing director of Hartley with farm shops. For me they were always a thing of Farm Shop in Winsley. “When the larger retailers suffered from their childhood summer holidays (Tebay services, anybody? complicated supply chain and getting food on the shelves, we were If you know, you know); the family packed tight into able to source either direct from our own farm or direct from local a stuffy car stopping en route to our self-catered farmers, growers and producers and have food on the shelves within cottage to gaze in wonder at the stacks of fresh hours. People shop with us as they believe in supporting their local food produce piled high, just- chain but in this pandemic, it has really baked bread still warm to the touch, and fancy fruity drinks of the kind you’d never normally pick up, but you are on holiday after all. And when on holiday, you step up your rushed morning muesli a notch, reaching instead for a farm shop purchased thick, crusty loaf heaped with steaming, creamy eggs laid just down the road – a tangible, delicious embodiment of the life you could be living. Then the pandemic came along, “What we put into our bodies and how we look after the planet are two of themost importantdecisions we make each day” highlighted how important and vital your local food economy is.” Covid-19 brought with it a plethora of new language we’re growing steadily more used to, but perhaps the most significant term we’re confronted with on a daily basis now is ‘essential’. Food and the essential people who produce it stepped out from behind the scenes and into the spotlight as the sudden and dramatic shift in reality showed the supermarket shelves emptied (perhaps majority of us what those food producers my favourite interaction of those early days of lockdown was a shared had known all along: the system we have isn’t working. The move to moment of dismay with a fellow shopper at the lack of maple syrup local shopping – already increasingly popular over the last few years – in Sainsbury’s – if the syrup is gone you know the middle classes are gained some serious steam, with multiple news outlets reporting that panicking, he laughed) and farm shops took on an entirely new role in during the pandemic, farm shops were booming. our lives. “We’ve definitely seen a huge shift in our customer opinions towards

“I think that when the pandemic started there was a genuine panic, their food during the pandemic,” agrees Will Blackmore, business albeit it temporary, about where the next shop was coming from. It development manager at Lowden Garden Centre, where The Farm was such a surreal time and very hard to manage from a food retailer’s Shop has seen lots of new customers this year. “People are definitely

left: There’s nothing like a pile of fresh veg; right: Moist hummus is available at Farleigh Road

taking more care about where and how their food was produced, with happen to be on offer week to week. When you shop locally, you’re a real focus on its sustainability and provenance. I think Covid-19 buying into a relationship. has forced people to take a real look at everything that’s coming into “When you are dealing directly with those who are producing the their homes – or perhaps just kicked in a change of routine, which has goods themselves, the enthusiasm for their produce is infectious,” says given people fresh perspective on their food Naomi Reyonds, a partner at Allington Farm shopping.” Shop in Chippenham. It’s a health thing, too, reckons Charlotte Self, marketing, brand and graphic design “Enthusiasm for their Nowadays, farm shops are much more than a holiday thing. If we choose them, they can be manager for Whitehall Garden Centre – of people and planet. produce is infectious” central to our lives, that feeling of excitement not one born of the escape of a posh holiday

“People want good quality fresh food, rather breakfast, but instead one that comes with being than processed food – not only is it better utterly entrenched in your local community, for yourself, but it is also better for the environment, which I believe down to the food on your plate. motivates a lot of people when it comes to what they eat,” she says. “Food shopping should be a real occasion,” says Tom at Hartley THAT SPECIAL FEELING that seems to live in farm shops is born of are two of the most important decisions we make each day. At a farm the tangibility of the connection between the produce lining the shelves shop, you can seek out new and interesting products, even talk to and its source. You’ve got situations like Hartley Farm, where MD Tom someone who knows the farmer of a particular cut of beef and has is a fifth-generation farmer producing grass-fed beef from his own prepared it themselves – or you might even see the produce being cattle for his customers – it doesn’t get much more local than the owners delivered directly from the field.” raising it themselves – as well as the relationships farm shops build with It would seem out of something awful, something good has grown. n other local producers and artisans.

“We have a great many incredible suppliers, many of whom have become friends over the years, particularly during the pandemic. It has forced a real sense of camaraderie within the local food industry,” Will at Lowden Garden Centre says. YOU’VE BEEN READING

“There are so many local companies that we love,” agrees Fran Allington Farm Shop, Allington Farm, Chippenham, SN14 6LJ; Harvey, general manager at Farleigh Road Farm Shop and Café in 01249 658112; www.allingtonfarmshop.co.uk Norton St Philip. “The guys at Bristol-based hummus company Moist Farleigh Road Farm Shop, Norton St Philip, Bath, BA2 7NG; have been fabulous for us. We brought them in during lockdown 01225 720006; www.farleighroadfarmshop.co.uk because they reached out – now they are one of our best ranges. Hartley Farm Shop & Kitchen, Winsley, Bradford on Avon, BA15

“Seven Hills Chocolate are another supplier we love. It’s little things 2JB; 01225 864948; www.hartley-farm.co.uk like a sneaky bar or two of chocolate for the staff to try that really helps Lowden Farm Shop, Folly Lane, Shaw, Melksham, SN12 8EZ; companies stand out.” 01225 702345; www.lowdengardencentre.com

Pride in the quality of their connections with their suppliers seems Whitehall Garden Centre, Corsham Road, Lacock, SN15 2LZ; to be an ethos for every farm shop. There’s a sense of a firm and 01249 730204; www.whitehallgardencentre.co.uk refreshing rejection of supermarket-style shelves filled with anonymous brands, most of which you only buy depending on whether they Farm. “What we put into our bodies and how we look after the planet

Browse the eclectic shelves at Farleigh Road Farm Shop

Shelves lines with goodies to discover at Allington Farm Shop

Head butcher Kevin and apprentice butcher Steven at Hartley Farm

The ultimate staycation

Quality, built-to-order and perfect for glamping – GREENDOWN SHEPHERD HUTS provide enviable luxury in a very cosy environment

While the trend for staycations in the UK has been building over the past few years, Covid-19 led to an explosion in the numbers of Britons holidaying in the UK this summer, a trend experts think will be here to stay even when restrictions on travelling abroad are lifted in the future.

With tourism in the UK at an all time high, 2020 has thrown up unprecedented challenges for British holiday property owners – and opportunities. With UK holiday accommodation at a premium, it has created an unprecedented chance for farmers and landowners to invest in and diversify their businesses towards tourist accommodation.

It is no surprise therefore that Greendown Shepherd Huts have enjoyed record levels of interest and enquiries this year. Specialising in creating high quality bespoke shepherd huts built-to-order, owners Harry Long and Richard Hodges combine a passion for craftsmanship and style with an understanding of clients’ business needs and aims.

“We’re committed to delivering shepherd huts expertly handcrafted for each individual customer, built from the best materials that combine comfort and practicality with contemporary style and design,” says Harry. “We offer a range of huts – from fully equipped B&Bs to unique bespoke designs. Ensuring perfection at every stage, we craft all of our huts and components in-house, from the chassis to roofi ng using high quality materials such as premium oak.”

As well as a dedication to high standards, Greendown can also advise on how their shepherd huts can create a transformative business opportunity for landowners.

“For landowners big or small shepherd huts are a great way to take advantage of the increased demand for holidaying in the UK, thereby creating new revenue streams from their assets,” says Richard.

“With diversifi cation economically so important to landowners – particularly with the current uncertain climate – those looking to branch into the holiday sector can charge £90-£150 a night for a hut, with a payback within two years, often sooner. The cosy nature of a shepherd hut and their appeal to young couples, not just families ensures they have year-round appeal, delivering cash fl ow through winter and not merely the summer season.”

The ability to move at short notice gives greater fl exibility and opportunity under current planning regulations, something which Greendown can advise on. “We offer advice on glamping planning permission and solutions to help ensure any new glamping business set up goes as smoothly as possible. We can help through this entire process, completing all required drawings and submissions to get the new site off the ground. Another growth area is Airbnb, where again we can advise prospective hosts on how to maximise the opportunities offered by a shepherd hut.

“Enquiries from landowners are up as much as 50 per cent this summer, compared with last year, a refl ection of the sustained appetite from the public for UK breaks and travel and the opportunities this means for landowners.”

Based at Pixash Lane in Keynsham just off the A4, Greendown Shepherd Hut’s friendly team are always ready to meet with prospective customers to discuss their ideas, develop a plan with them and deliver on their requirements. ■

Unit 1b, Pixash Lane, Keynsham, Bristol BS31 1TP; 01179 869685 info@greendownshepherdhuts.co.uk www.greendownshepherdhuts.co.uk