‘Major expansion of farm shop will create more jobs’, Teesdale Mercury

PLANS to significantly expand a farm shop that champions local produce will create more jobs in the area, say the owners of the business.

Andrew and Maria Henshaw bought Mainsgill Farm, near Ravensworth, in 1995.

 But faced with falling prices in the pig industry and the aftermath of the mad cow crisis, they thought setting up a farm shop would be a good way of boosting trade.

The Henshaws haven’t looked back.

Their butchery, shop and café at Mainsgill now employs 35 people and the couple have recently unveiled major plans to expand the business, off the A66.

They want to create more space by linking two existing buildings with a two-storey extension.

It would provide a food preparation area, office, extra retail space, and a hamper packaging and dispatch room.

The farm shop buildings would also be extended towards the north-west, providing a separate bakery, café seating area and large store.

A new main entrance would also be created at the site, and improvements are to be made to a dangerous stretch of the A66.

Planning agents Prism Planning, on behalf of Mr and Mrs Henshaw, said the farm shop is currently turning business away.

An estimated 13 extra staff will be employed if the plans are approved, as well as the possibility of more farm jobs elsewhere.

In a report, Prism Planning said: “Such has been the success of the business that it has grown to the point where the existing premises are too small and there is a need to increase the floor area to meet public demand. 

“Not only will the extended farm shop and tea rooms provide enhanced facilities for local customers, it will also provide enhanced facilities for passing custom on the A66 and should assist in the growth of the local tourism industry.

“Furthermore, the increase in employment that will follow the extension of the premises should not be ignored.”

More than 80 per cent of the produce sold at the farm shop comes from Mainsgill Farm and Whessoeville Farm, which are both run by the Henshaws. 

About 90 cattle and 250 store lambs are presently being fattened at Mainsgill Farm, along with about 300 pigs. About 190 cattle are being raised at Whessoeville Farm near Darlington.

All sausages, pies, pastries and cakes sold at Mainsgill are produced on site.

And Prism Planning said the expansion would provide an outlet for more local producers.

Improvements to the A66 junction, a well-known accident blackspot, are planned and an informal agreement with the Highways agency has been reached.

They include levelling access to the farm, increasing high friction surfacing on the A66 and erecting electronic warning signs.

Engineer consultants Halcrow, acting on behalf of the Highways Agency, has published a report.

Richard Edwards, from Halcrow, wrote: “There is some concern about the accident record both along the link and at the existing site access junction.

“It should be noted that the latest accident record shows that this access currently has the highest number of accidents recorded over the past five years on the length between the A1 and the Cumbrian Border.

“There have been eight accidents, including three which were classified as serious, and more accidents were recorded in 2009 than any of the other years.

“Of these accidents seven were directly as a result of vehicles turning into/out from the Mainsgill Farm access.”

Mr Edwards said traffic would significantly increase if the farm plans were approved. 

He agreed that improvements that have been suggested at Mainsgill’s junction would be the best way of improving the situation.

Richmondshire District Council will decide on the plans in the coming weeks.