A brand new 'destination' farm shop, butchery, bar and cafe has opened on the Isle of Wight.
Employing around 45 staff (its old premises operated with fewer than 20), it replaces what used to be Arreton's Farmer Jacks and has moved up the road, to Hale Common.
Harvey Browns has been welcoming customers to its purpose-built architect-designed high-spec new premises for the last few weeks, showcasing local produce in a family-run setting.
The aim is for customers to pick up everything required for their weekly shop, as well as grab some fresh food from the in-house deli, and a bite of breakfast or lunch too.
"We'd love it to be a destination for people to come for half a day - maybe to do some shopping, have some lunch, go for a walk and just enjoy the area.
"It has been part of the farm for hundreds of years and is now open to the public."
- AE Browns Farms which runs Harvey Browns is looking to hire more staff (scroll down for details...)
Thanks to EU funding, as well as tourism and production grants, Harvey Browns has been causing a buzz on social media.
Its ethos is to use produce from as close as possible in its specially-built kitchen, across its bar and cafe and deli counter.
Inside, the building is light and airy, boasting a wood burner, polished floors and bespoke carpentry, providing floating modular shelving in birch ply, and an eye-catching bar and cafe area.
Its fully equipped butchery has special fridges - unique to the Island - that age cuts of meat.
Spot one you like and reserve it for a special meal in a few weeks time, invites butcher Paul Woodward, who moved with the business and told me the large adjacent fridges and meat preparation areas were a huge bonus.
Outside, there is permission already in place for a bridge linking Harvey Browns to the adjacent eight-mile cycle path, connecting Newport and Sandown.
There are also plans to open up its seven acres of woodland for walks.
- Harvey Browns is already looking to expand its team and is recruiting for its cafe and shop. Get in touch contact@harveybrowns.co.uk
Over their four year project, the Brown family worked with local traders, as well as Island-based architect BCM, which designed the landmark steel and wood new-build.
Challenges, including with the huge landscape window overlooking lakes used by fishermen, were thankfully met, allowing it to open to the public at the end of April.
The cafe is open seven days a week, from 8am-6pm Monday to Saturday and from 9am-4pm on Sundays and bank holidays, for breakfast, lunch and cake.
Set in the fertile Arreton Valley, which enjoys extra sun because it runs east to west, across the heart of the Isle of Wight, there are further plans to expand.
In the meantime, the surrounding fields are being restored to agricultural land.
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