Country Pub Owners Plan Farm Shop and Cafe Amidst Village Renewal

Strategic Insights -

Laurence and Sera Henry, the newly rebranded Martin's Arms in Colston Bassett, are set to open a farm shop and cafe, filling a long-standing gap in the village. The couple aims to provide a local amenity for provisions, as well as a coffee shop to cater to the village's growing demand. The venture will be situated in an outbuilding next to the car park and include an online shop, stocking meat, fish, dairy, and artisanal bread. The cafe will feature wines from around the world and British cheeses, with chefs making jams and stock on-site.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Martins Arms is planning to open a farm shop and cafe in an outbuilding next to the car park, filling a gap in the village's amenities.
  • The farm shop will stock a range of products, including meat, fish, dairy, and artisanal bread, with an online shop also available.
  • The cafe will feature wines from around the world and British cheeses, with chefs making jams and stock on-site.
  • The couple, Laurence and Sera Henry, hope to open the venture by October or November.
  • The village of Colston Bassett lacks a local shop, with the Post Office previously operating a shop that closed years ago.
  • The farm shop and cafe will also include a kitchen garden to provide fresh produce for the menu, which could be sold in the shop.
  • Over half the borders in the beer garden will feature edible flowers, such as magnolia, which tastes like ginger.

Statistics:

  • The farm shop and cafe are planned to open by October or November.
  • The village of Colston Bassett lacks a local shop, with the Post Office previously operating a shop that closed years ago.
  • Over 80% of vegetables and herbs are grown by the team at The Carpenters Arms Italian Kitchen in Walesby.
  • The restaurant has sold over 325kg of bread in a week, with the Christmas hamper featuring salami, chilli jam, homemade wild boar sausages, roast potatoes, and pigs in blankets.
  • The Christmas week of 2022 saw the sale of 440kg of bread, with the team working extended hours to meet demand.

Sources:

  • The Martins Arms in Colston Bassett
  • Laurence Henry
  • Sera Henry
  • John Boddice, chef and co-owner of The Carpenters Arms Italian Kitchen in Walesby
  • Christian Colarietti, Italian chef and co-owner of The Carpenters Arms Italian Kitchen in Walesby
  • The Telegraph (for naming Colston Bassett one of the poshest villages in the UK)