The Black Cat Farm Shop was opened in October 2014 - based in a small wooden cabin in the grounds of a garden centre. The cabin had previously been used as an outlet for a local vegetable box scheme. It's called the 'Black Cat' because it is just off the [in]famous Black Cat Roundabout on the A1/A421 junction.

Specialising in Fresh, Seasonal, Local produce, we mainly sell Vegetables and Fruits, but also selling a wide range of locally produced foodstuffs - Bread, Cheese, Honey & Preserves, Rapeseed Oil, Bread Flour, Apple Juice, Coffee, Cakes and Quiches, and other locally crafted items. We support over 20 local small businesses.

From having challenging weather at the markets, life in the cabin has its challenges too - freezing in the winter and boiling in the summer - but that's part of what the project will help with.

Currently the shop is open 3.5 days a week. As Sue continues to look after her bees, and also make all the preserves sold in the shop, she cannot open any more days - the cabin is 4.7m by 5.7m and currently has no water or waste connected. This means she has to do a lot of cooking at home (where she is registered as a Food Business).

The project is going to be able to do several things:

Expand the selling space, including some 'serve over' fridges - allowing more 'deli' type products to be stocked such as cheese and olives.

Create a 'working' space with extra fridge, freezer, cooker and washing up facilities - Sue can then make all the preserves on site, rather than at home. She can also expand the range of cakes and savoury items, and bake several times a week. Sue will also be able to host small groups for things such as breadmaking courses.
Please help Sue to fund this project - the Farm Shop is the only one of its kind within a 10 mile radius, and whilst it provides a great service to the local community already, it can do so much more. Thank you!