The Farmers Mart Oct/Nov 2015 - Issue 42 | Page 55

Farm Name and lamb direct to the public along with the free range eggs which they already sold at the farm door. But almost as soon as the shop was opened, the recession hit and they quickly realised they needed an extra attraction for the Farm shop so from there they set about building the cafe. The biggest hurdle was to get the funding. David explained that Greater Manchester were “pitifully slow” and would only do grants in small amounts. Then the responsibility shifted to Cumbria and after that, Albion Farm was the first in the North West to get a full development grant. They set about planning and converting the old barn and in April 2011, the Albion Farm shop and Cafe opened. This was all a big team effort with David and Paul managing the farms in the main, Annette keeping the finances in order and daughter Laura really stepping up to the plate (pardon the pun) with a wealth of ideas and a real passion for quality food. She has really created a great cafe and shop experience with a huge variety of their own fresh pies, sausages. All the beef and lamb in the shop and the restaurant is from their own free range herds and other local farms. Laura and the family also realised there were many small businesses Our family business, now in its fourth generation, carries on the tradition of baking biscuits to many of the same recipes created by our great Grandmother Annie Wild over 100 years ago. We are pleased to be suppliers to Albion Farm Shop and wish them continued success Serving the rural business community and building a positive future We are an established practice of Chartered Certified Accountants, who have assisted local business owners for over 50 years. Pleased to support the Hirsts & Albion farm & farm shop in the local community Tel: [phone] Fax: [phone] E: [email protected] The Bakery, Station Road, Steeton, England, BD20 6RB Suites 5 & 6, The Printworks, Hey Road, Ribble Valley Enterprise Park, Barrow, Clitheroe, Lancashire, BB7 9WB T: 01254 828888 E: [email protected] www.farmers-mart.co.uk Oct/Nov 2015 55