Family farm shop shuts after devastating raid

A family-run farm shop that has served its community for more than 30 years has been forced to close temporarily after thieves stole all its fresh and frozen stock and high-value butchery equipment.

But the family is determined to reopen for Christmas.

South Brockwells Farm Shop, at Little Horsted near Uckfield, East Sussex, announced the temporary closure on Facebook following a break-in at about 11pm on Friday 6 November.

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Sussex Police is aware of potential linked incidents at farms and farm shops in Hadlow Down, Mark Cross, Glynde and Mayfield on the same evening.

Four masked men were seen breaking into the farm buildings at South Brockwells Farm, but by then they had already emptied the farm shop and butchery.

The Wells family, tenant farmers who own the business, raised the alarm but said police advised them to remain indoors for their own safety until the intruders had left.

The farm’s entire meat stock was stolen in the raid © South Brockwells Farm

Sussex Police sent patrol cars to the scene and surrounding area, but were unable to trace the offenders.

Chrissy Wells told Farmers Weekly the thieves emptied the freezer and chiller and stole all her husband Arron’s specialist butchery equipment, including 20 knives, diamond sharpening steels and high-value aluminium bowls.

The raiders also took about £2,500 worth of home-produced pork and lamb, as well as locally sourced venison.

“It’s so disheartening. We’ve spent years building up this business,” said Mrs Wells.

“What right has someone got to come and take it away from us? We feel violated and do not feel safe in our own home.”

Rare sheep breeds 

The farm keeps just under 200 commercial breeding ewes and rears about 300 lambs a year.

It also conserves several rare sheep breeds, including Herdwick, Hebridean, Ryeland, Greyface Dartmoor and Badger Face Welsh Mountain sheep, which are showcased during open days and lambing events.

All the meat sold in the shop is sourced locally within Sussex. The family rear and process their own lamb and free-range pork, all of which is sold through the shop.

“We feel very passionate about the provenance of our meat and always have done,” said Mrs Wells.

The family say the theft has left them heartbroken and questioning whether they have the strength to carry on.

The farm is home to several rare sheep breeds © South Brockwells Farm

However, following an overwhelming response from customers and the local community, the Wells family are now determined to get the business back on its feet and hold a Christmas reopening between 18 and 20 December.

After customers urged them to seek support, they launched a GoFundMe appeal, which has already raised more than £8,000.

The appeal states that the family “cannot afford to rebuild alone” and that donations of any size will help them reopen. Those unable to contribute are being asked to share the appeal.

“We are very grateful and touched by people’s generosity and messages of goodwill,” said Mrs Wells.

“The money will help us reopen for our loyal customers, who enjoy the field-to-fork experience we offer, and will also enable us to improve security at the shop.”

Messages of support have poured in online. One local business said it felt “absolutely awful” for the family, while another customer said they would miss collecting their venison.

One supporter who had experienced a similar theft urged the family not to make any rash decisions while still in shock and suggested contacting the NFU. Another recommended seeking help from the farming charity Rabi.

Sussex Food & Drink said: “This is so terrible and we are really sorry to hear your news.”

The shop had recently been running monthly seasonal pop-up events, selling award-winning home-reared produce, local wild game, and home-grown and locally sourced fruit and vegetables, including asparagus in season.

Christmas reopening

The family will be unable to hold their planned November pop-up, and Christmas orders for turkey, game birds, venison and chipolatas have been disrupted. However, they are setting their sights on welcoming customers back before Christmas.

“We really want to celebrate our Christmas opening between 18 and 20 December,” said Mrs Wells.

“It will take us a little time to navigate the aftermath of this theft, but we will have our Christmas opening. It will be a celebration with our loyal customers and friends to thank them for their generosity and support.”

The business forms part of a 121ha farm on the Sussex Weald that has been in the family for 50 years.

Detective Inspector Rob Tillyer, who is leading the investigation for Sussex Police, said: “We understand the impact these offences have on businesses and the wider community.

“We can assure the public that we are making enquiries with the aim of identifying the offenders and bringing them to justice.”