New Sheffield farm shop that's supporting local independents

There's plenty of fun on the farm to be had this Christmas, as Aston Springs Farm launches its new farm shop, serving up the best of everything Sheffield has to offer.

Aston Springs Farm Shop & Deli opened on the site last month and is already attracting a slew of new customers with its strong '˜local first' message.

'We're an independent ourselves, of course,' said Katie Brooks, who has run the farm's on-site restaurant for the past five years with her husband before branching out into the farm shop.

'It was important to us to support as many fantastic local companies as we could. Whenever my husband and I travel anywhere, we're always careful to shop local, and sample what the local area has to offer, and we wanted to create the same opportunity for our customers here in Sheffield.'

The farm shop's jams and chutneys are all created locally, we get our meat from Moss Valley, our cheese from Longley Farm, and dairy from Hillsborough.

"We sell Sheffield honey, and have a local guy that makes all the pies, scotch eggs, pork pies, and crumbles. We also have someone making homemade truffles on site.'

And with Christmas just around the corner, the new shop has had to hit the ground running.

'I'm unpacking Christmas puddings as we speak,' Katie laughed.

'We're selling Christmas hampers, which people can fill with all their favourite flavours of the city.'

And while the farm shop is a new addition to the business, word is spreading fast.

'We have people coming to the farm and restaurant, and calling in to see what we're doing,' said Katie, aged 38.

'There's been a lot of interest, and we've been taking lots of bookings for Christmas meals in the restaurant, as well as orders for Christmas meats.'

As well as the farm shop and restaurant, the farm features a children's play barn, paint a pot studio, brand new gift shop, and a farm trail.

'It's a fantastic place to spend time,' Katie said.

'We have lots of plans for the new year, in terms of events and offers, and we really hope the people of Sheffield will call in to see us and say hello.'

Visit astonspringsfarm.co.uk for details.