CUSTOMERS of Skipton's new Keelham Farm Shop was packed out during its first weekend of opening.

Enthusiastic shoppers continued to pile into the shop – near Gargrave Road roundabout – three days after it opened, parking along Gargrave Road and the entrance to Skipton Auction Mart.

The £4 million conversion of the former garage opened last Wednesday, following a popular evening preview, with guests including Skipton Mayor, Councillorf Gordon Bell.

The farm shop – the second venture by brother and sister owners, James and Victoria Robertshaw – includes usual farm shop fare, with the addition of extra features, such as living wall of plants, 'bag your own' nuts, snacks, dry goods and sweets.

There is also a winery and ale house, with more than 200 beers from local breweries, and a juice bar.

The connected barn area will feature seasonal activities and events, and is currently geared to the growing season.

Proud of its meat and delicatessen counters, Keelham sources its meat from the next-door auction mart, while many of its suppliers are family businesses from the area.

A vintage tractor, celebrating the family's farming heritage, has been placed on the shop floor.

There is also a cafe and the Keelham Kitchen, featuring meals created by executive chef Jason Wardill, using ingredients from the store and available for takeaway.

“To see the farm shop open and our vision for Keelham in Skipton realised is just fantastic," said Victoria.

"Everyone who works at Keelham has an absolute passion for buying and eating well. I’m so proud of the team we’ve created here, and I know they can’t wait to share the new shop and their enthusiasm for food with locals and visitors to Skipton.

"We are really excited to be here and we hope to become a valued part of the community, as we are in Thornton. We already have received such a warm welcome."

She added: “We are so lucky in Yorkshire to have such a wealth of fresh produce on our doorstep, and opening in Skipton has revealed how many creative small food businesses there are springing up all the time.

"We hope Keelham in Skipton will give customers a new everyday shopping experience, where they can feel confident that really great tasting food comes first.”

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