Farm Shop/ Retail Offering

[Part timer farmer]

Hi
So thinking of some form of farm shop. Probably self service to start with. Have carried out pre planning and LPA supportive , LL aware but need to have formal discussions. We are on an FBT.
Just curious how anyone else got on with their LL ?
I don’t plan on spending a fortune initially- probably a marquee at the end of the shed to give shelter and take it from there.
Thanks.

 

[Still Farming]

Hi
So thinking of some form of farm shop. Probably self service to start with. Have carried out pre planning and LPA supportive , LL aware but need to have formal discussions. We are on an FBT.
Just curious how anyone else got on with their LL ?
I don’t plan on spending a fortune initially- probably a marquee at the end of the shed to give shelter and take it from there.
Thanks.

Some round here just crack on and only do what the relevant authorities tell them when they catch up with them.
All genuine,by the book lot ,get all planning, building control , Environmental Health, food hygiene rules,regs ,licences all in place first.

 

[Netherfield]

Call Clarkson, he'll put you straight.

 

[onesiedale]

LL should be supportive, especially if they don't have to invest! Done properly, it should add value to their estate and your business.
With our honesty shop, we have simply kept the LL informed at all stages. Kept the shop low key enough not to offend anyone and gradually over the last 6 years built up a diversification that is now a significant part of the whole farm business.
I presume you will be selling your own produce in there initially.

 

[Still Farming]

LL should be supportive, especially if they don't have to invest! Done properly, it should add value to their estate and your business.
With our honesty shop, we have simply kept the LL informed at all stages. Kept the shop low key enough not to offend anyone and gradually over the last 6 years built up a diversification that is now a significant part of the whole farm business.
I presume you will be selling your own produce in there initially.

Untill they see it take off and want a slice of the action possibly?

 

[onesiedale]

Untill they see it take off and want a slice of the action possibly?

that is always my concern, but for now, the whole thing remains relatively low key, and certainly low investment.

 

[Part timer farmer]

Some round here just crack on and only do what the relevant authorities tell them when they catch up with them.
All genuine,by the book lot ,get all planning, building control , Environmental Health, food hygiene rules,regs ,licences all in place

LL should be supportive, especially if they don't have to invest! Done properly, it should add value to their estate and your business.
With our honesty shop, we have simply kept the LL informed at all stages. Kept the shop low key enough not to offend anyone and gradually over the last 6 years built up a diversification that is now a significant part of the whole farm business.
I presume you will be selling your own produce in there initially.

That is reassuring, I have an honesty box and kept LL informed what I am doing, they live nearby so Ibest to do this and avoid surprises. You have nailed the situation -as long as they don’t have to invest . There is only so much

LL should be supportive, especially if they don't have to invest! Done properly, it should add value to their estate and your business.
With our honesty shop, we have simply kept the LL informed at all stages. Kept the shop low key enough not to offend anyone and gradually over the last 6 years built up a diversification that is now a significant part of the whole farm business.
I presume you will be selling your own produce in there initially.

I agree, I’ve kept LL informed to avoid surprises and if they are not investing then what’s the issue. I want to progress from a box at the end of the road to people driving into the farm - just need to convert a shed or put a small one up. All grass farm so limited to what I can grow - bit of veg, eggs - could try some boxed lamb.

 

[Part timer farmer]

That is a possibility- though I guess cross that bridge when I get to it

 

[upnortheast]

Q1 Do you have the skills needed to deal with the general public every day ?
It`s not everyones idea of fun !

 

[Netherfield]

Q1 Do you have the skills needed to deal with the general public every day ?
It`s not everyones idea of fun !

The customer is always right, even when they're wrong, and the customer knows it.

 

[Courier]

The customer is always right, even when they're wrong, and the customer knows it.

I prefer
“The customer is always right (to their face).”

 

[Part timer farmer]

Q1 Do you have the skills needed to deal with the general public every day ?
It`s not everyones idea of fun !

If they are paying I’ll put up with them. TBH we get walkers through the farm etc so used to it.

 

[Still Farming]

If they are paying I’ll put up with them. TBH we get walkers through the farm etc so used to it.

But will they spend?
Most people want everything but buy nothing.

 

[Part timer farmer]

I won’t know unless I try !

 

[Tracta]

Hi @Part timer farmer how did you get on? Would love to know if you have an update as we are in a similar situation here wanting to start small shop. Many thanks

 

[Still Farming]

Hi @Part timer farmer how did you get on? Would love to know if you have an update as we are in a similar situation here wanting to start small shop. Many thanks

All the best with that

 

[Courier]

Hi @Part timer farmer how did you get on? Would love to know if you have an update as we are in a similar situation here wanting to start small shop. Many thanks

To start a farm retail business first you need year round quality produce to sell - this will require wholesale access to produce when your own is not available in sufficient quantity and quality and selling prices need to be based on a 15% to 20% margin on wholesale charges ( for both home and bought in goods).
More customers will come for the “experience” than simply cheap food.
Are there any “Farm retail marketing” courses at an accessible Agri. College ‘cos unless you already have experience within a retail marketing environment then that would be a good start……One of North Yorkshire’s most notable and busy (but not busy enough) Farm Shops shut down at the end of last year and is looking for a new operator.

https://keelhamfarmshop.co.uk/pages/restaurant

Keelham Food Hall - Google Search

Keelham Food Hall
01756 664170

 

[Part timer farmer]

Hi @Part timer farmer how did you get on? Would love to know if you have an update as we are in a similar situation here wanting to start small shop. Many thanks

I am getting on slowly , there are external factors - I work ft from home mostly,rent to pay and school fees . However I have bought a vending machine , It’s a Carousel Shopper 2, I’ve put down a concrete pad and the LL has said give it go for a year, I need to submit a planning app and I’ll do that myself, I have wooden cabin I got for free ( Fb marketplaces) for the vending machine.I have my large honesty box at the road end but the profit margin is v low by the time I’ve collected eggs from a nearby packer or bottles of milk in the other direction. Really need everything delivered. I have a few hens and could put the odd fat lamb in a freezer. I think @Courier is right this needs to be an experience ie come get a coffee spend a little time and that takes investment. This farm has v little concrete. I will give it a go as I have got this far but it’s quite a lot of work for not a lot.
Hi @Part timer farmer how did you get on? Would love to know if you have an update as we are in a similar situation here wanting to start small shop. Many thanks

Hi @Part timer farmer how did you get on? Would love to know if you have an update as we are in a similar situation here wanting to start small shop. Many thanks

Hi

 

[Still Farming]

To start a farm retail business first you need year round quality produce to sell - this will require wholesale access to produce when your own is not available in sufficient quantity and quality and selling prices need to be based on a 15% to 20% margin on wholesale charges ( for both home and bought in goods).
More customers will come for the “experience” than simply cheap food.
Are there any “Farm retail marketing” courses at an accessible Agri. College ‘cos unless you already have experience within a retail marketing environment then that would be a good start……One of North Yorkshire’s most notable and busy (but not busy enough) Farm Shops shut down at the end of last year and is looking for a new operator.

https://keelhamfarmshop.co.uk/pages/restaurant

Keelham Food Hall - Google Search

Keelham Food Hall
01756 664170

As cheeky Charlie stated on Clarkson Farm Show if your not making 40% forget it.

 

[Courier]

As cheeky Charlie stated on Clarkson Farm Show if you’re not making 40% forget it.

Need a base price to make your margin on though - the costs of home produce shouldn’t be used, but an equivalent wholesale cost IMHO

As soon as you put a potato in a 1kilo paper bag you increase its value x 5.

Different products have very different perceived “known values” to the customer (nowadays considered to be a consumer, rather than a customer).