A farm shop in North Yorkshire will next week move into its own new premises after an investment of more than £300,000

Ainsty Farm Shop, which for the past four years has operated out of rented premises on the York side of Green Hammerton, will open on Tuesday 300 yards down the A59 behind the Sweet Basil Restaurant and Skipbridge filling station, in a purpose-built 3,000sq ft base.

The farm shop was started by former farmers Sam Blacker and Stuart Beaton who had both been involved in farmers markets.

Sam said: "We quickly identified the need for a permanent base for an outlet and thus the Ainsty Farm shop was born.

"It did so well that we both gave up farming to concentrate on selling local produce for other farmers. Two years ago we won the Evening Press Greengrocer of the Year in the Eat Local awards."

The new shop will generate an extra four full time and two part time jobs, two of these representing a baker and assistant for a new in-house bakery. This will bring the number of jobs there to ten. There will also be an extended delicatessen and a butchery.

"The butchery will remain our core business. We are one of the few farm shops that source our meat locally, hang it in our own cold room and butcher it on site to customers' requirements.

"We will also source most of our fruit and vegetables locally and now will be able to provide a bigger range."

A planning application has been submitted to Harrogate Borough Council for a coffee shop within the new premises.

"People often like to meet here and the coffee bar would make a terrific community focal point," said Sam.

Updated: 11:10 Thursday, October 06, 2005