An award-winning family farming business wants to build a £3 million super-size farm shop in Skipton , creating 60 jobs.

Billed as an ‘eco-friendly barn for the 21st century’, the Keelham Farm Shop would be built on the former Nicholas Smith garage site on Gargrave Road.

It would sell fresh meat and produce from Craven farmers and suppliers in addition to providing a visitor centre with live animals and cookery demonstrations.

And if approved by Craven District Council, work would start in spring, 2013, and the store – with parking for 127 cars – would open for business a year later.

It would be the second farm shop for the business owned by third-generation farmers, brother and sister James and Victoria Robertshaw.

The original Keelham Farm Shop in Thornton, Bradford, has been going for 40 years, serves more than 8,000 customers every week and this year is a finalist in the Welcome to Yorkshire White Rose Awards in the Taste of Yorkshire category.

Fresh produce accounts for 75 per cent of what it sells and it offers goods from more than 100 producers in the area in addition to meats grown and reared by 290 local farms, including the family’s own farm in Cowling .

“We believe food tastes better from the farm and we aim to make affordable, fresh, good quality produce available to everyone and for customers to buy as much, or as little, as they need,” said Victoria Robertshaw.

“In Thornton, we have deep roots and our staff offer educational activities, a host of family-friendly events and support local charities.

“We love making a difference and look forward to forging these relationships in Skipton, becoming a community asset, as well as a valued business.”

Her brother added: “At Keelham, generations of experience has taught us the importance of championing local farmers and producers.

“They help strengthen our local economy, conserve our surrounding countryside, and offer the freshest, tastiest food.”

The family believes the Skipton site, next to the auction mart, is ideal to expand its successful farming concept. “The site next to the auction mart fits perfectly with our values and active support of the rural farming community,” said Mr Robertshaw.

“We look forward to building a new network of producers here.”

It is planned that the 2,330 square metre farm shop would occupy a similar floorspace to the former garage and petrol station.

It would also feature several eco-friendly elements including a ‘living wall’ running through the centre of the store, a wind turbine, photovoltaic solar panels and a sedum roof, complete with model cows.

A planning application was due to be submitted to Craven District Council this week.

  • An exhibition of the plans is due to take place at Skipton Auction Mart on Thursday, August 16 from noon to 7.30pm. Representatives of Keelham will be on hand to answer questions.