AN £8.5 million investment deal into Bradford's Keelham Farm Shop will see the firm expand, online and with new stores.

But the move has seen the firm's original Thornton shop, on the site of the family farm, move away from the main Keelham brand.

Once co-owners, siblings Victoria and James Robertshaw will now operate separate businesses, with the former holding on to the Keelham Farm Shop name and the Skipton operation, while the latter takes on the Thornton shop as it is renamed.

Growth Partner LLP is investing in the expansion plans of Keelham Farm Shop’s chief executive Mrs Robertshaw, who remains the majority shareholder of the business.

After opening more than 40 years ago as a small shop on the family's farm in Thornton, Keelham opened a second shop in Skipton in 2015. The retailer has gone on to win more than 60 industry awards.

Mrs Robertshaw said: “To have found a like-minded investment partner for Keelham is really important and that’s exactly what we’ve found in Growth Partner. With their support and backing we have a great opportunity to expand our vision for Keelham Farm Shop as a commercial success with a meaningful purpose.

“I’ve lost count of the times that customers have said ‘if only we had a Keelham near us’. This investment partnership will help us to take Keelham to hundreds of thousands more people, within and beyond Yorkshire, as well as online where there is really exciting potential for growth.

"We believe that we can improve the health and happiness of the nation through better food and this investment is the first step towards achieving our vision.”

North Yorkshire-based Growth Partner is run by managing partner, Gerard Downes. Its aim is to support business owners and their teams through the challenges of scaling their business. Founder Richard Harpin will offer strategic advice to the board of Keelham Farm Shop.

Mr Downes added: “Victoria has created a truly customer focused shopping experience, delivering high quality curated products in a welcoming and engaging environment. We think more customers will love having access to a Keelham and are delighted to support Victoria and the team to achieve this. This represents our third consecutive investment in a successful female entrepreneur led business."

The investment in Keelham Farm Shop in Skipton and the Keelham Farm Shop brand comes on the back of the original Thornton shop changing to the sole-ownership of James Robertshaw, under the new name of Robertshaw’s Farm Shop.

Keelham Farm Shop has also announced that Santander is its new funding partner as part of its strategic growth plans.