FROM TABLE TO TOP SHOP
FROM TABLE TO TOP SHOP
Hollow Trees Farm Shop currently holds the
prestigious NFU Farm Shop of The Year award.
Tim Relf calls in to find out why
LIKE many farm shops, Hollow Trees has grown from humble beginnings.
It began just over 15 years ago as a roadside table by a farm at Semer in Suffolk. Since then, Sally and Robert Bendall have turned it into a thriving business which attracts 2500 customers a week, employs 15 full and part-timers and is a focal point of the local community.
They source from 200 local suppliers, with all the fruit, veg and meat produced on their farm also sold through the outlet. The couple work together, with Robert concentrating on the farming, and Sally the shop.
The business has evolved, with development continuous over the past decade-and-a-half. "Weve just grown from nothing," explains Robert. "Weve invested any money weve made back in the shop."
But this spending has been closely controlled. "Weve kept our costs low on the buildings because the money hasnt been there," says Robert. "Theyre nothing very special to look at – the main buildings really just a plastic greenhouse – but they serve the purpose."
A farm trail for visitors is one of the more recent additions and, subject to planning and grant aid, this year could see a redevelopment of the site bringing a new shop, plant centre, cafe and kitchen.
Hollow Trees has a diverse product range – youll find everything on its shelves from pet foot and bedding plants to ice cream and bacon.
"Theres a strong local identity within the shop," says Robert. "We specialise in selling local produce from specialist producers."
Community involvement – such as sponsoring the local towns pantomime and giving local schools a Christmas tree – is also a big part of the ethos. "We try to put something back into the local community."
Such initiatives also generate good publicity and help build awareness of the business. It frequently features in the media – last year alone, Hollow Trees staff were called upon to comment on such diverse issues as the fuel crisis, foot-and-mouth and, rather more surprisingly, the image of the sprout.
This, together with the Open Farm policy, has helped "introduce, educate and provide an insight into rural life" for those who come through its doors.
Its meant a lot of hard work for the Bendalls. As Robert says: "If you are in retailing, you have to be open long hours.
"We put ourselves out to get customers in. Weve got to be open at a time in the week so we can get customers in as theyre going to work and then, later in the day, when theyre on the way home from work.
"Its enjoyable, though. Its nice to be in control of your own destiny and not relying on subsidies or on other people to market your products. You can do things your own way. Its satisfying.
"Its lovely to hear customers praise Hollow Trees. I enjoy seeing the car park full and the shelves full of stuff weve grown and that I know is good quality."
In addition to the traceability aspect, first-class service is also a key ingredient. "Were