TO ANYONE visiting Keelham Farm Shop, it is hard to imagine its humble beginnings - a roadside cart selling fruit and vegetables.

“Our business was founded by farmers, starting as a simple veg cart selling from the roadside,” says Julie Mills, the shop’s managing director. “Today farming is still very much in our blood - we work closely with farmers, growers and producers to bring the very best produce to our customers.”

Brimming with produce, the multi-award winning shop in Gargrave Road, Skipton, offers fresh fruit and veg, bakery treats, deli essentials and locally sourced meat.

It is clearly a recipe for success as, last year, Keelham was crowned the Best Farm Shop and Deli in the North in the Great British Food Awards.

“Our team was very excited to have won this award, which highlighted everyone’s hard work as well as our quality products and service,” says Julie, “Especially after 2020 being such a challenging year for us all. It was definitely one of the best moments of last year.”

The shop - which includes the Keelham Kitchen restaurant - welcomes customers from across Yorkshire and beyond. “We are blessed with some very loyal customers who shop with us regularly to get their weekly supplies,” says Julie. “As well as local customers a lot of people travel from Bradford and Harrogate,” says Julie. “Many customers who see us as a destination for a day out.”

She adds: “I think what customers like about us, is that we are not like your everyday, boring supermarket trip. It is a stunning building. The old tractor inside the shop always finds its way onto Instagram.”

Produce is mainly locally-sourced, from trusted suppliers and farmers. “We like that customers interact with the staff to find out details such as what is in season in our produce department and where it is sourced, learning which cut of meat is the best, with helpful tips on how to cook it” says Julie.

Whole carcass butchery by the shop’s skilled team means nothing goes to waste. “We buy from Yorkshire farmers with full traceability back to the farm. We are very well known for our butchery and, pre-Covid, customers travelled for miles to visit. During Covid we have launched meat boxes online which are proving to be very popular, especially our Steak Lover’s Box.”

It was farmer’s daughter Victoria Robertshaw and her brother James who founded the shop in Thornton, Bradford. It opened in 1974, named after their home, Keelham Hall Farm.

In June 2015 the Skipton shop opened, and last year Keelham’s shareholders bought the business, consolidating the two shops into one. “The shop has become a stand-alone business with ambitious growth plans” says Julie.

A key focus is the produce department, offering eye-catching displays of fresh fruit and vegetables. “We work with a variety of local and international growers to bring customers the best of British and the best produce from all over the world,” says Julie.

The shop aims to use a minimal amount of plastic in its produce department, with cabbages being the most recent product to be sold loose. Using brown paper bags, customers can select as little or as much as they need. They also use biodegradable, compostable punnets.

“One of the most loved parts of our deli range is undoubtedly our amazing range of pies - we love working with fantastic producers such as The Original Baker from Malton, who produce pies especially for us,” says Julie.

Led by our ‘Star Baker’ Emma, a talented team bake cakes and pastries. “The enticing aroma spreads through the store,” says Julie. “Customers love seeing our bakers work while they shop. We are proud to work with a multi-award-winning local baker, Seasons of Ingleton - they make the most wonderful sourdoughs, including their famous beetroot sourdough.”

More than 120 people work at Keelham. “They all play a key part in making it a special place to shop and work, especially throughout the past year, where they have rallied together and done a tremendous job in very difficult and ever-changing circumstances,” says Julie.

Butchery Manager Tony, who has worked there for 16 years, says: “I have a huge passion for my work. What I love about it is working with some wonderful colleagues and delivering a fantastic service to our amazing customers.”

Nigel, the shop’s produce manager, enjoys sourcing fruit and veg from local growers, while Emily, who works in human resources, loves the welcoming atmosphere and delicious food sold at the shop.

Keelham has remained open throughout the past year. "We brought in a contact-free click and collect and home delivery service," says Julie. Online shopping has soared since March 2020.

“With the restaurant closed, a takeaway service was introduced,” says Julie. “Our executive chef Tim created a delicious takeaway menu, as well as our Dine at Home Sunday roast kits and Afternoon Tea boxes, which have been extremely popular.

“We like to put easy meal solutions together for customers to pick up in store, in our ‘What’s for tea?’ fixture. This has included stew packs in winter, giving all the essentials to make a warming stew.”

The shop opened its new outdoor dining courtyard in April and introduced a new afternoon tea this month.

Covid precautions around Keelham include screen dividers, socially distanced space markers and hand sanitizing stations.

“The support from our lovely customers over the past year has been overwhelming and a great representation of supporting local businesses through such challenging times,” says Julie. “Our research has shown us just how much of a difference this has made to our customers and how they felt we were creating a safe shopping environment for them.”

Adds Julie: “We are always looking ahead to the future and we have strong ambitions to grow and are on the hunt for our next site to expand into.”

*keelhamfarmshop.co.uk