Shopping habits forged because of Covid restrictions have lasted long beyond the pandemic with the trend for farm shops continuing to skyrocket as people move on from having to source food from alternative outlets during lockdown living to appreciating sustainably produced local food.
As investment opportunities go, it is well reported that the rural property market has been particularly buoyant since the end of the first covid lockdown in 2020, now is the time for small farms to come to the fore.
While some looking to buy a house with land crave the good life in a bid to supplement their existing income and strive for self-sufficiency, others are seeing the potential in investing in smallholdings and farm shops. A small-holding, traditionally classed as anything under 50 acres but can be anything upwards of a large allotment, offer anything from beehives, micro dairies, flower farms and even gourmet speciality products.
Indeed, the Farm Retail Association (FRA) revealed earlier this year that farm shops generate £1.4bn in sales a year nationally with 64% of farm shops expecting year-on-year sales to increase in 2022.
The continuing success of shows such as Clarkson’s Farm not only highlight the reality of farming in the UK but also the potential for people from non-farming backgrounds to tap into the market. youngsRPS Rural Property teams are seeing firsthand the rise in demand and now the availability of such properties with several recent launches.
Leasingthorne Farm, a traditional County Durham farmhouse which is being sold along with an extensive range of traditional and modern farm buildings. Another example being Eildon Cottage in Mindrum, North Northumberland is an equestrian and lifestyle property with picture perfect views of The Cheviots.
Both have extensive buildings that could remain in agricultural or equestrian use but offer plenty of scope for conversion to residential or commercial uses, such as farm shops, cafes and holiday lets, subject to obtaining necessary consents and permissions of course.
However, it is not something investors should dive into without guidance and sound advice. youngsRPS rural experts can guide potential investors through the available Government grants and funding streams for such ventures and, of course, steer you away from the possible pitfalls
