cusTOMER UPDATE - 2 jUNE 2023
Scroll down for 9 JUNE update
Exciting changes are afoot at Hare Hatch Sheeplands. We are starting to get some of our redevelopment work under way over the next few weeks & months. You will see some of this happening before your very eyes, and some of it will be behind the scenes.
Behind the scenes, some of our older glasshouses are being demolished
The car park and coffee shop are getting a little "cosmetic" work
The coffee shop garden has already been mowed and is open to enjoy
Garden Centre
This will change slowly and steadily over the next 4 weeks as we incorporate the food hall, greetings cards and sundries from the farm shop. We also are delighted to announce we have an amazing new stoneware company coming to join us. They will eventually be developing show gardens on the site.
You may have noticed our old friends Klass clothing are back and welcomed enthusiastically by all of you already. Our Klass shop will be expanding weekly! Klass offer an absolutely fabulous range of colours, styles, sizes and prices, just in time to jazz up your summer wardrobe.
Our plant area will also be getting attention as as we continue to strive to offer you the best plants at the best prices, locally or British grown and with the best service and advice.
Farm Shop changes
We're moving! The delicious goodies of our farm shop will be moving across the path to become an exciting new food hall . It will be located within a new part of the existing garden centre - containing food hall, gift & greetings, clothing, leisure and garden sundries. You will all be aware that, as a country, we find ourselves in a perfect storm created by the cost-of-living crisis, massive inflation, rocketing energy costs and record interest rates. This has made us consider how we can adapt to absorb these challenges to create a stable and resilient business while we move forward with our plans for a new Garden Centre.
Regrettably, after a review, we have chosen to discontinue some of the farm shop range. This includes, amongst other things, most of the fresh fruits, vegetables, bread & milk. We will also be stopping the use of the Over 60s Friends discount on the Farm Shop product, and by doing so we will be able to offer products at a more favourable price for ALL customers. The date that this will occur will be confirmed in due course. We haven't taken this decision lightly as you can imagine. Of course circumstances may change, at which point it may be possible to reintroduce farm shop product lines when they become profitable again.
There will be some moving around in the existing farm shop through June as we sell through ranges and the shop moves across to its new home. Bear with us and we will make the transition as smooth as we can.
Farm Shop Barn to Antiques Barn
The current farm shop 'barn' building is set to become the biggest and best antiques emporium in the area. Conceived and run by Kevin Guy, if you are in the industry and are interested in being involved please contact him on 0118 9344911 or mobile 07708 775668. The aim is to be up and running in July.
Coffee Shop
The Coffee shop will remain run by a safe pair of hands, Anj and Kev. You might see a few changes to the decor in the next few months, but your coffee, cakes and meals are all here as usual. Fantastic news is that new Summer menu will be added very shortly. The garden is mowed and open - come on down!
These moves all form part of a larger plan for the future, and for those of you who are not aware of our 2022 planning success, please look here at the ultimate goal. Investment is still being sought for the larger parts of this project.
Thank you for all of your continuing support & good wishes.
Rob & Andy at Hare Hatch
cusTOMER UPDATE - 9 jUNE 2023
Farm Shop moves
Andy and the team have started working on the farm shop project and it is just like a giant jigsaw puzzle. As items move to new shelves, they free up shop fittings that can then be moved to the new food hall space over in the garden centre. We do hope this doesn't inconvenience you too much. If you cant find what you are looking for please do ask. All items remain in the farm shop - just not necessarily in the usual places.
We mentioned last week that the Friends Club Card will stop giving you a discount on Farm Shop items so that better prices can be available to all customers. This will commence on 1st July 2023.
We have had some concern about the loss of fruit & vegetables in July. We would like to reassure you that certain locally grown produce will be retained such as Rectory Farm potatoes, rhubarb and asparagus when is season, Ringden apples in season and Sheeplands Farm soft fruits. Where we can remain competitive or with a quality product we will keep the supply. Due to food inflation we simply cannot compete on price and have seen this reflected in sales.
Antiques Barn
As the farm shop moves the antiques barn will move in hopefully opening in time for 1st July 2023. Kevin Guy will be hosting one Antiques and Collectibles market in June on the 18th. There will be no other markets in June. After the new shop is under way we will revisit when the markets may be reintroduced. Watch this space!
Garden Centre
Car park to be planted this week. Vicky loves creating planting schemes. We look forward to a bit more colour in the carpark. And now the Catalpa and Paulownia trees are leafing up , we should have a bit of shade soon too!
Klass
Lots of lovely new items. We have been asked for changing facilities. Yes, these are in the plan for the future - watch this space, we will let you know as soon as we know.
Coffee Shop
Just a few tweaks as we go into Summer. The roast is suspended for the sizzling Summer Season. Anj and the team are going to concentrate on Summer specials and keep you cool! This Sunday's specials are given below.
Thank you for your patience and support while we work on these changes,
Andy & Rob