A North Craven gift shop and deli-cafe could be looking for a candlestick-maker next after adding a butcher and baker to its portfolio.

Country Harvest, on the A65 at Ingleton, had run its meat counter on a concession basis but has now employed 22-year-old local lad George Taylor, who qualified in butchery at Leeds Thomas Danby College, to run the department on the shop’s behalf.

And after the retirement of Oakroyd Bakery boss Peter Hudson, Country Harvest has taken on the lease of the Bentham-based business, securing the jobs of six people as well as creating a new role for Angela Danskin, who will manage the Station Road shop and bakery for Country Harvest.

“We couldn’t have had a more exciting start to the year,” said managing director Mike Clark.

“Acquiring our own butcher and the bakery ensures our self-sufficiency and creates a wealth of development potential.

“It also cements our role as one of the major local employers in the Ingleton and Bentham area, adding seven more jobs to the 53 full and part-time people we already employ.”

Country Harvest enjoyed a trend-bucking 2013 in which it celebrated its 20th birthday, redeveloped its food hall, created new customer toilets and gave a facelift to its 65-seat coffee shop.

“With the acquisition of the bakery, which previously supplied us with bread and cakes, they will now be our own make. We will also be adding award-winning recipe savoury pork and hand-raised pies to the range for Oakroyd’s Bentham outlet, as well as our deli-counter at Country Harvest,” said Mr Clark.

The name Oakroyd Bakery will continue in the short-term although it is likely that labelling will be changed to bring it in line with Country Harvest’s branding.