In May 2008 Sarah Speak & Angela Davies decided to take on the lease of a farm building to let shop units to create a new visitors centre comprising of a full time farmers market with fresh local produce, a craft and gift centre, licensed tea room, leading Art Gallery and high quality Butchers selling exotic meats such as water buffalo, venison & game (when available).

Between them they had a good mix of varied work experiences & education which would help them in taking up the challenge of setting up their own business.  They opened the doors in April 2010 and the centre has gone from strength to strength.

They had to learn very quickly about day to day running of every aspect of a business, down to dealing with builders, designing toilets and the Tea Room, Marketing, Accounting and even making a good froth on a cappuccino at the Two Birds Tea Room (which they also run). Throughout all this they also had to overcome certain prejudice of being two women in business!

Below you can see the ongoing building works, which were occassionally fraught with various building issues but finally it was completed and developed it into what it is today….A day out with a difference, full of individual shops and businesses all offering great value & individuality with friendly customer service.

Sarah & Angela said “Our first couple of years have been a whirlwind! There have been so many ups and downs & many obstacles to get through, as there is with any business, but we are so pleased that the centre has become so successful so soon. We are so proud of all of the shops within the centre as there has been so much passion put into every single one of them by their owners. We will continue to promote the centre in every way we can & hope our customers, old & new, will enjoy their visit every time”.

Sarah & Angela were elated to be chosen as finalists for the 2012 BIBAS (Be Inspired Business Awards) as Business Woman of the Year and Most Inspiring Business. They were especially pleased as they were up against very large, long established organisations and their company is only 2 years old…what an accolade!