Christmas has come early at Hinchliffe’s, with council planners acting as Santa’s unlikely little helpers.
The family-run Huddersfield farm shop was all but destroyed by fire in 2010. But now staff and customers are celebrating the news that Kirklees Council has granted full planning permission for a new farm shop and restaurant on the Netherton site.
‘The fire destroyed our buildings but it never destroyed our passion,’ said director Simon Hirst. ‘We’ve continued to provide pasture to plate food in the subsequent three years and have been consistently buoyed along the way by the enthusiasm and loyalty of both our staff and customers.
‘This decision is great news for all of us ““ it’s the best Christmas present any of us could have wished for.’
Hinchliffe’s has been successfully operating from temporary accommodation while drawing up meticulous plans for a more solid, long-term solution. The new scheme, which includes a glazed entrance canopy, a new farm shop, enhancement of the existing cafe and restaurant, and a first floor function room with a terrace offering countryside views across to Castle Hill, should be finished and open for business by the end of 2014.
A specialist team from Ilkley-based Sense of Space Architects has worked closely with Hinchliffe’s to create a design that respects the surrounding countryside, minimising any impact on the environment while enhancing customer experience.
Planning specialists from estate agent Savills have also worked in partnership with Hinchliffe’s to guide the project through the planning process and will provide a site management strategy for when groundwork begins early next year.
‘The end product of all our hard work is going to be something quite special,’ said Simon. ‘The new building will very much echo our pasture to plate ethos by utilising traditional materials, like natural drystone, to create a contemporary, welcoming retail space. It has taken much longer than expected to reach this point due to circumstances beyond our control, but it’s been worth the wait and we are absolutely delighted.”
‘We can’t wait to get cracking in 2014. This new year really will mark a wonderful new beginning for the extended Hinchliffe family.’
You can see an artist’s impression of what Hinchliffe’s new home will look like at “www.hinchliffes.com”:www.hinchliffes.com