New farm shop on the cards as pair chase their dream

Site will bring together area’s fresh produce

An entrepreneurial couple are aiming to open a farm shop and cafe bringing together all the fresh produce from Tenterden’s countryside.

Andy and Fiona Triplow are winding down an existing business – The Old Radiator Company – to pursue their dream and plan to open up their new venture next spring.

The pair, who live at Hallmark Farm in Ashford Road, St Michaels, want to set up shop in a field next to their own home and intend to base it in a single-storey cedarwood-clad shipping container.

Andy, 55, said: “There’s fresh lamb, honey from local bees and milk and butter available on our doorstep and we want to put all that produce in one place.

“There’s a serious lack of a good farm shop in the area but there is so much produce available.

“People are becoming more concerned about where their food comes from and they want to eat fresh rather than going into a supermarket and picking up something packaged.”

The father-of-two said he would be aiming to make the farm shop as plastic-free as possible.

Customers would be able to stop off for refreshments in the cafe, including fairly-traded teas and coffees and cakes.

He added: “We would like to offer a pop-up restaurant with a small selection of food, including one set dish, similar to the French idea of a plat du jour (dish of the day).”

The couple have put in a planning application for the shop and cafe, together with parking, to Ashford Borough Council.

Planned opening hours are from 8am-6pm Monday to Saturday and from 10am to 4.30pm on Sunday.

High Halden parish council has objected to the proposal, listing concerns about its affect on the rural setting and an increase in traffic on the A28.

But Mr Triplow said farm shops are of great benefit, offering locally-grown goods and supporting the area’s producers.

■ To view the application visit Ashford Borough Council’s planning portal and search for reference 19/01781/AS.

Any comments need to be made by today (Thursday).

‘There’s a serious lack of a good farm shop in the area but there is so much produce available...’

Andy and Fiona Triplow at the site of the proposed farm shop