North's first '˜food barn' of independent traders to draw in Sheffield visitors

The Batch House ‘food barn’ will boast a mixture of stalls such as delis and produce sellers, start ups, restaurants and bars plus a demo kitchen across three floors in a warehouse setting in Chesterfield.

The concept is based on similar venues in Europe and London, and it is anticipated that food-lovers from the south of Sheffield, Dronfield and nearby areas will find it easier to access than the city centre or Kelham Island.

Popular pie street food trader Pie Eyed is to open its first stand alone shop there, and there has also been interest from a Korean restaurant in London, as well as artisan traders and known chefs in the region.

“There’s nowhere else quite like it here and we are going to be bringing the idea to Yorkshire and Derbyshire”, said Tim Turner of Blue Deer, which is behind the project.

“The Batch House name comes from the fact there used to be a glass works across the road and a Batch House was where all the materials would come together to create something.

“That’s what the Batch House will be - it will have everything you need to create a meal or have a night out.

“If a group of friends heads there for a meal they can all get food from different places and meet at the bar.

“If we had gone to all the chain restaurants we would already be full but we want it to be about quality, independent producers.”

The Batch House, located close to the Chesterfield FC football stadium, will have an atrium design and also 18 modern offices as part of the project.

The vision is that staff from the offices will use the food businesses based there, and it will also complement the nearby four star Casa hotel, as the Derbyshire region focuses on drawing in more tourists.

Traders from Sheffield are also expected to take up space there instead of in the city, where rents and business rates are more expensive.

Work on the building is due to begin shortly with an expected completion date of Christmas this year.

Traders interested in the project can email [email protected].