Since being included in The Times’ ‘35 Best Farm Shops in Britain’ shortlist, West Lea Farm Shop has experienced a surge in custom.
Shop owner Rachel Peppiatt said the team was “thrilled to be included” in a selection of regionally sourced produce retailers published by a national newspaper.
The list, which was released on October 26, has brought in customers from far and wide, according to Rachel, many of whom had never heard of “such a little farm shop” before, but were delighted to see so many locally made Hampshire products on its shelves.
This includes a variety of goods, from fresh produce and meats to preserves and pickles, with the store also showcasing a range of local sparkling wines and body products.
West Lea Farm Shop, acclaimed for its traditionally harvested hand-cut watercress is a local treasure not unfamiliar with national attention.
Along with the recent Times shortlist it has also been featured on the ITV weekend show, ‘James Martin’s Saturday Morning’ and has been included in BBC Radio Solent’s Sunday Show, with owner Rachel discussing the health benefits of adding watercress to your meals.
The future for West Lea is exciting, as the business looks to continue their production of hand-bunched watercress and maintaining their “local and loyal” customer base, whilst attracting newcomers with a diverse array of Hampshire-based goods and wholefoods.
This article was written by Amelia Young
