Popular Samlesbury farm shop in administration (From Lancashire Telegraph)
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Popular Samlesbury farm shop in administration
9:30am Sunday 6th May 2012 in News
POPULAR farm shop Huntley’s of Samlesbury Ltd has gone into administration.
The business at Huntley Gate Farm, Whalley Road, Samlesbury, appointed administrators Leonard Curtis on 27 April.
Huntley’s continues to trade as normal in the meantime.
The owners of the business, Eddie and Kate Cowpe, were unavailable for comment yesterday.
Traders within the food hall, including Antiques and Collectables, Barrica Wines, Out of the Deep, Suite Seconds and Fine Furniture, and Stems Florist, however said the news was the first they had heard, but declined to comment.
The appointment of administrators was announced by the London Gazette on Wednesday. The notice was received by the High Court of Justice, Chancery Division - Preston District Registry.
Creditors of the company will be notified of the news and a draft proposal will be prepared by the administrators stating the intentions of the business.
Huntley’s was set up to be a unique shopping and dining experience.
Mr Cowpe’s family have been farming in Samlesbury for over 800 years. He and his wife Kate developed the business into a showcase for local produce.
The restaurant and ice cream parlour opened in 2001 and the addition of the £1.5 million food hall was opened in 2008.
After the 2001 foot-and-mouth crisis Mr Cowpe said he knew that something had to be done to transform his farming business.
Having started life with jams, cakes and preserves and fresh coffee along with Huntley’s ice-cream, the product range on offer has more than doubled since opening.
To supplement Huntley’s existing arable and livestock farming, Mr Cowpe built a 750 sq ft farm shop selling milk, home-made ice cream and meat to the general public.
In addition to its loyal customer base, which sees visitors travel from far and wide, Huntley’s picked up the 2005 East Lancashire Retailer of the Year award and was celebrated as one of Rick Stein’s Food Heroes.
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