New café at Glemsford farm shop is a recipe for success

A new cafe opened its doors for the first time at Willow Tree Farm Shop in Glemsford this week, creating a dozen jobs in the process.

Two years in the making, the addition to the business in Lower Road launched on Wednesday, and will see its chefs source quality Suffolk produce, alongside the farm’s own home-grown ingredients, to cook meals from scratch.

Sunday roasts are on the menu and, with tables spread out to keep diners at a safe distance from one another, plus a big patio outside, the eatery can accommodate to up to 100 covers if the weather is good, explained owner Deborah Russell.

Mrs Russell started the farm shop with her husband, Michael, in the 1980s, although it was already established selling eggs and other produce having been set up by her father-in-law in the 1950s.

Now joined by the couple’s son, Matthew, and eldest daughter, Hannah Griffiths, who is the cafe manager, it is – and has always been – very much a family affair, with grandparents, cousins and in-laws all working on the farm.

The suggestion of a cafe came from customers, who have been asking for one for years.

Mrs Russell said: “Having seen other farm shops opening cafes, customers used to ask us why we hadn’t got one here.

“In fact, if I had a pound for everyone who asked me why we didn’t have a cafe, I could probably have built one with the money.”

The venture was able to get off the ground thanks to a grant from Defra, which is available to rural businesses to help generate employment in the countryside.

Earlier this year, Willow Tree Farm adapted its business to cope with extra demand during the coronavirus pandemic and ensuing lockdown by increasing its workforce threefold to meet an unprecedented rise in demand with a delivery and collection service.

The cafe is open six days a week, excluding Mondays, from 9am to 5pm.