Partner Article

Nurturing a new future

FARMERS in Northumberland are laying the foundation for a successful future after diversifying their business even further creating jobs and a visitor attraction.

Detchant Farm in Belford is better known as the providers of Sunny Hill Eggs and boasted the region’s first dedicated free-range egg packing facility with help from One North East’s Rural Development Programme for England (RDPE).

With further farm diversification in their sights the Jackson family has since secured £200,000 through the RDPE Business and Community Assets Programme to create a new farm shop and restaurant.

Sunny Hill Farm Shop will incorporate a delicatessen, butcher’s counter and gift shop selling good quality seasonal and local produce. There will also be a coffee shop and restaurant and large children’s play area. Initially it is envisaged that 11 new jobs will be created with more to follow.

Christine Jackson, partner and manager at Sunny Hill said: “We carried out research which showed that there is a need for the services of this new farm shop.

“At the moment the nearest butcher’s shop means a car trip to either Bamburgh or Wooler so our shop will ensure local people have increased choice on their doorstep.

“At the same time people will travel to visit a farm shop so the aim is also to attract new business into the village in the hope that all existing businesses in Belford will benefit from these additional visitors.”

RDPE Manager at One North East, Adrian Sherwood, said: “It is always encouraging when a farm aims to protect and improve its future by diversifying. The farm shop will ensure new customers from nearby and further afield while also having a positive knock-on effect for other businesses in Belford as well as those who are supplying the shop.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ruth Mitchell .