Farm shop’s wedding and events venue plans get green light

A farm shop in East Yorkshire has secured planning permission to create a purpose-built, multi-functional wedding and events venue.

Drewton’s Farm Shop near South Cave is now carrying out economic and market feasibility studies and subject to their successful completion and the required funding being secured, construction work will begin in the coming months as part of an ambitious expansion project that is expected to be completed early next year.

The announcement represents a significant investment in the local area by Drewton’s Farm Shop, which was established seven-and-a-half years ago.

Since then, the business has earned a reputation for championing locally-sourced food and drink, winning a string of local, regional and national awards along the way.

The new function venue will be built to the rear of the existing buildings so that it has uninterrupted views of the Drewton Estate and out across the Yorkshire Wolds.

Proprietor Katie Taylor said: “It’s going to be an amazing venue to support our farm shop, restaurant and commitment to championing all things local.  We hope to expand our ‘meet the producer’ food events and will have better facilities to cater for weddings and civil ceremonies, conferences, educational visits, charity fundraisers, themed dining evenings, celebrations, shooting parties and other events.

“We’ve been providing a bespoke catering service for private functions for many years in our existing restaurant facilities, but have been unable to cater for larger events, such as seasonal food festivals and tourism events organised in conjunction with regional tourism bodies Welcome to Yorkshire and Visit Hull and East Yorkshire, because we simply didn’t have the space.

“It’s a beautiful spot and will make a truly memorable setting for private, special occasions, throughout the whole year. It will be connected to the existing buildings by the kitchen area, which will also be extended to allow us to cater for much greater numbers of people. This exciting new project has been triggered by soaring demand for our hugely popular private events and catering services. It will see Drewton’s Farm Shop embarking on an exciting new phase in its on-going growth and development.”

Drewton’s Farm Shop works with a network of more than 250 Yorkshire-based farmers, growers and suppliers, whose products are on sale in the shop and used to produce the dishes served in the restaurant.

The business also supports around 40 local businesses that provide it with a range of products and services, everything from catering supplies to public relations support.

Taylor intends to apply this same ‘buy local’ ethos when it comes to identifying and sourcing suppliers of everything from wedding flowers and photography to bands, and also hopes events at the venue will benefit local hoteliers and accommodation providers.

She said: “Anyone who has been to one of our private parties or events will know that they are, excuse the pun, ‘Taylor-made’ for each individual customer. We work closely with our guests to help them plan every aspect of their celebration or event, from developing a bespoke menu right down to the table decorations. Since we secured our planning permission in February, I’ve been busy forging links with reputable, local wedding suppliers so that we have a support network on hand for anyone planning to stage their special day here at Drewton’s Farm Shop.”