A popular shop a few miles east of York has remodelled its business in response to the ‘challenging retail environment’.
The team behind The Mile Farm Shop, Pocklington, say they are making the change after a tough couple of years.
They have repurposed the shop to create a ‘Showcase and Sell’ Emporium for local creatives and makers to sell their products.
Jo Barnes has run the long-established business with husband, Colin, for 25 years.
She said: “The last couple of years have been challenging, as they have for many small and family-owned hospitality and retail businesses like ours and forced us to relook at our business model.
“We decided to give our shop space over to small, artisan businesses who can rent space, be it an apple crate, a cabinet, shelving or wall space.
“They simply fill the space once a month and we sell their arts, crafts, jewellery, clothes, antiques, retro and vintage items for them.
“By making these changes, we can support other small businesses, and also keep trading as a shop ourselves.
“Given that there’s nothing like this one-stop gifting shop in the area, we’re hopeful that The Mile Emporium will also attract people to the café and to Pocklington itself.”
Showcasing 27 businesses
The Farm Shop will close on 23 October and will reopen on 28 October, with 27 local businesses supporting the new venture.
The businesses that have already signed up include AmaDablam Cashmere, Dizzyrich Designs, Fetlock & Feathers, Ferribots, Free to Live, Holistic Kitchen, Jenbocrochet, Melts and More, Resin Revery and Rosefield Studio Shop.
The cost of showcasing products in the Emporium starts from £15 per month for an apple-crate size space. For more information, please call Jo Barnes on 07970 620132.
In addition to the Emporium, the Mile team are also hosting a series of events in the café including a Halloween painting workshop, a charity fashion show, Christmas afternoon tea and cocktails and a Christmas stag painting workshop.
The Mile is owned and run by the Barnes family who have farmed in the area for decades.
In addition to the Showcase and Sell Emporium, it is also home to a café, feed shed, a Fuji photo and gift studio and a two-acre caravan site with full facilities that is open all year round.
When it reopens, the Mile Showcase and Sell Emporium will be open on Monday and Tuesday from 10am to 3pm and Wednesday to Saturday from 9am to 4pm.
The café is open for drinks and light refreshments on Monday and Tuesday, with a full menu from Wednesday to Saturday.