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Bosses behind a farm shop and cafe are ‘optimistic’ for the future as they plan an expansion amid growing customer demand.
The team at Silcocks Farm Shop and Cafe, near Tenterden, have submitted a proposal to Ashford Borough Council (ABC) to add two shipping containers to the site to house a new kitchen.
There are plans to expand Silcocks Farm Shop and Cafe, with a new kitchen and bigger butchers’ counter
They say the additional space will enhance the cafe’s offerings and help it keep up with future customer demand.
By relocating the current kitchen, the plans will also allow for the expansion of the butchers’ counter, which has been a staple of the site for years.
The farm, in Grange Rd, St Michaels, has been in the Fenton family for more than two decades. They converted old outbuildings into a farm shop, which originally opened once or twice a week to sell their beef.
Over time, it became what it is today, with a fully-fledged butchery, farm shop and cafe for punters to buy all manner of local products.
Farm manager Matt Britton, who started as a farm hand himself around 16 years ago, said despite ongoing pressures in the hospitality industry, hopes are high for the future.
How the proposed shipping containers at Silcocks Farm Shop and Cafe are proposed to look. Picture: Hobbs Parker
He told KentOnline: “We have a loyal customer base here in Tenterden who understand the importance of supporting local businesses.
“With the building of a new kitchen for the cafe, it will not only improve the cafe’s functionality, it will also give our butchery room to expand by taking over the current kitchen space.
“Despite the financial strains facing many farm shops and cafes, we are still holding onto some optimism for the future.”
Documents submitted by Hobbs Parker on behalf of the applicants to ABC state the scheme reflect the “continued evolution of the site into a destination for visitors”.
Farm manager Matt Britton is hopeful for the future at Silcocks Farm Shop and Cafe
It will also eliminate “operation inefficiencies” during busy service, as staff cross the butchers’ counter to take food to the dining area.
The issue was flagged as a food-safety concern during Environmental Health inspections due to its conflict with best practices for food hygiene operations.
“The existing kitchen is of insufficient size to meet the service demands of the cafe, which has expanded since its introduction,” planning documents add.
“The limited floor area restricts both preparation space and work flow efficiency, constraining the cafe’s ability to operate safely and effectively at peak times.
The plans will also allow for the expansion of the butchery counter at Silcocks
“A new purpose-built kitchen is required to maintain compliance with food-safety standards and to ensure the cafe can accommodate current and future customer demands.
“This reflects the continued evolution of the site into a destination for visitors, enhancing the retail offer and expanding the direct-to-consumer element of the farm’s operations.”
Silcocks Farm Shop and Cafe is located on the edge of St Michaels, near TenterdenThe shipping containers will be attached to the existing farm shop and cafe. Picture: Hobbs Parker
Tenterden Town Council expressed support for the application, with no other comments lodged on ABC’s planning portal.
A decision is expected by the authority later this year.
Previously, Kentonline visited the “hidden gem” farm shop and cafe.
Our reporter was blown away by the views, which were as satisfying as the food on the plate.