Farm shop/cafe

[Tryingtofarm]

Looking for thoughts,

We have a dairy, beef and arable farm in Shropshire and with my dad running it and not wanting to move on from the old fashioned ways. I want to inject new life and something a bit different into the place. I believe we are in a perfect location for said above to happen, I have all the plans in my head as to how it could look just not the brain capacity to get it down on paper to approach anyone with it. Looking for opinions as to how to get round this rather large obstacle. Many thanks

 

[Goatherderess]

I'm going to the Farm Innovation Show with my son who wants to do new stuff - 8/9 Nov. I'm not sure there will be much about Farm shops but it has loads of diversification ideas http://www.farmbusinessshow.co.uk

 

[Still Farming]

I'm going to the Farm Innovation Show with my son who wants to do new stuff - 8/9 Nov. I'm not sure there will be much about Farm shops but it has loads of diversification ideas http://www.farmbusinessshow.co.uk

Looks good with lots of seminar's if you like talks .

 

[HDAV]

This is worth a visit https://www.greendalefarmshop.co.uk/ if your ever down that way called in on the off chance was really impressed hey relieved me of a good £30 while I was there too car park as busy and looked thriving from my quick pit stop, perhaps they might help and offer some advice?

 

[wilber]

I'm going to the Farm Innovation Show with my son who wants to do new stuff - 8/9 Nov. I'm not sure there will be much about Farm shops but it has loads of diversification ideas http://www.farmbusinessshow.co.uk

I went 2 years ago and i would say the majority of it is about tourism, trying to sell compost toilets, glamping, caravan parks and associated things to go with it. It was OK to experience it but i felt quite let down overall. Their was only one agriculture venture their that actually interested me at the time but the old chap told me it was a waste of time and we headed home, seems quite a few farms around here are now doing it/going into it.

 

[upnortheast]

Best way to find out is get in the car and visit as many as possible. Everyone is different and the trick is finding what will work in your area.
Don`t underestimate how much time and effort something like this will take up.

The best farm shops we deal with are trading a significant amount of their own produce. A number have tried just buying in stuff to sell. they never seem to go as well

Any Leader grants in your area which would cover this sort of thing.?

Sometimes you have to grit your teeth and pay someone to help with the planning, grants etc etc for this sort of project that you are not familier with.

A number of good farm shops in this area. I know it`s a distance from you but locals are unlikly to be helpful if you are on their doorstep.
I could pm you some contact numbers if that is a any help

 

[upnortheast]

Some further thoughts
Farm Shops / Cafes seem to need lots of staff to run and a heap of capital to set up & stock.

What about ice cream. Couple of farms I know make ice cream and have a modest on - farm outlet to sell it
much simpler operation to manage IMO.
All depends on your location and what others are doing in your locality.
I`ve always thought your best chance of success is doing something no one else is doing

 

[How much]

You are going to probably need a planning consultant versed in agricultural matters to get your project underway , they should be able to recommend a local architect who can draw you up some plans of the area showing cooking, prep area, toilets access car parking etc that is all part of the process.

However before that how do you intend to run this ?

Just looking at the coffee shop or cafe first as that is the most likely route to quick revenue is it going to be a coffee shop or a cafe , there is distinct difference and your location will make that more obvious.
who are your customers likely to be, cyclist , family's, couples there will obviously be a mix but of all but you tend to find a certain style attracts a certain market , ice cream for example is a mainly a family summer market , cyclist year round but bigger groups .
The market as i would see it is for mainly home made product , cooked on site to high standard , so scones , tray bakes quiche etc all your own product they dont need to fancy but it has to be good , the farm coffee shops i visit that do this are a great success but that means you have to either be a cook or employ a good one.
In a similar manner the ones i know who are managed by the owners , not a manager adding that extra cost is an additional burden you can do without.

 

[honeyend]

My advice is think about who is your customer is first. I have done a bit of outside catering, and you have to think about what your potential customer wants, which may be what you want to sell. Having visited four garden centres in the last week, business was booming in two of them, in two practically empty on the same day. The two that were busy had events on for half term, Halloween, and Christmas stuff out already.
Anything I have organised which has involved children is always a success. One farm shop has a children's play area, which over looks a few sheep, heaving with mums, grandparents buying actually fairly average food from the café. The so called local produce wasn't actually that local. If you are close to a largish town you have a better chance of becoming a destination. One farm shop/cafe has a pig farm attached but also have exotic meats and has alligators, peacocks etc as a hook.
I would look at some of the food/catering events, they are usually free to attend if you are trade, they will give you an idea about trends. http://www.specialityandfinefoodfairs. co.uk/ http://www.therestaurantshow.co.uk/...abases_19thsept&dm_i=A7N,56CBE,13LZUV,JW4VE,1
If you can make something and sell it retail that is where the money is, there are a lot of coffee shops because there is huge profit in coffee. There are a lot of people selling icecream, and unless you can sell it direct you have to find a food service company to your out lets you have to do all that. Lots to think about.

 

[Oldmacdonald]

Hijacking slightly...how close to a main road would you have to be to have a successful shop/cafe?

 

[Kidds]

Hijacking slightly...how close to a main road would you have to be to have a successful shop/cafe?

I don't think it matters as much these days unless you are miles and miles away.
More important to have a nice place to go to. So many people are looking for something to do with their leisure time so if you have nice views for a cafe or something extra to your shop you are on a winner.
In affluent Cheshire you just need to appear posh or trendy, do that and it will work. They can buy washed carrots anywhere, you need red baby carrots at the very least.

 

[Will Wilson]

Before you do anything maybe get some more training - try something like

https://www.ruralbusinessschool.org.uk/worshipful-company-of-farmers-challenge-of-rural-leadership

You can get funding for research proposals etc. - http://www.afcp.org.uk/

there is also the Princes Trust.

I would suggest that you have to tackle your caution about working it out on paper head on.

In my experience the paper bit of a business is where the money is made.

Then go for it and get lucky!

 

[upnortheast]

Isn`t it annoying when the OP asks a question, folk take time to reply with, hopefully usefull contributions, then the OP never joins the discussion.
Sure the thread could develop into a useful source of info for him if he gave some insight into his situation and thinking.
Sorry grumpy today !

 

[itmustshine]

There's a lot of hard work involved in any diversified business. Then if you're successful and make a bit from it, it grows and then you need to let someone help run your baby with you. A good plan, hard work, patience and lots and lots of passion are pre requisites

 

[Chasingmytail]

Biggest cost - labour

 

[Yale]

Being on a popular cycling route helps.

 

[Dman2]

Been there and bought the t shirt
Make sure its something you really want to do
Pick your target market and price accordingly
expect a lot of people who will come and ask for a 2 cups of tea and 1 scone to share then sit there all day.
Don`t expect to have much time left for farming
expect to get ripped off by staff, or have them not turn up on the busiest days.

I could go on

Just think carefully before you go ahead

My problem was I dont really like dealing with the general public

 

[suffolksmallholder]

This place has taken off in the last couple of years;https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Resta...icnic-Bungay_Suffolk_East_Anglia_England.html
This place has become very popularhttp://www.berrysfarmshop.com
Both in agricultural/summer tourist areas. They employ local staff who are friendly & pleasant to customers. Serve fab food & have easy parking. What more do you want on your trip.
SS

 

[suffolksmallholder]

Nothing will happen without massive personal input. Take time to look at other operations. I know the two I posted about above. If you can't draw find someone who can. Gather as much information from t'internet in picture form & put this in a scrap book so you & particularly your draughtsman can interpret your thoughts.
What ever input you can do yourself will save you £'s in the long run.

Possibly get yourself an old drawing board & a T square, a scale rule, a huge rubber & some pencils, a pencil sharpener & some A1 paper, tape measure & a magnetic compass, a set square, an adjustable square & a good drawing compass. There are 'drafting sets' available from specialist suppliers.

Measure what you have & put this down to a 1:100 scale, orientated with North up. Then size up to 1:50. Cut out picture ideas & stick these to tour 1:50 drawing so you have an image that relates to your pencil drawing. This will take time but I'm assuring you this is the fun bit & it only gets better as you get more into it.
Planning permission will take 18 months with professional advice from time to time. I'd hazard you'll be rubber stamped for a good idea for less than £2k. This will include the structural input as well. the end drawing will have to be converted into an electronic plan to get into the planning portal. I paid for someone to do this from my pencil drawings.
SS

 

[Courier]

If you do build a farm shop base it on a design for a dwelling so that should it not work out at least you can easily and cheaply convert it to a rentable property.