THE next phase of the development of a popular farm shop and tea room has begun.

Mainsgill on the A66 near East Layton, Richmond, attracts more than 3,000 customers a week and has grown consistently since farmers Andrew and Marie Henshaw first opened it in 2001.

The last development saw the busy tea room extended to seat 150 and the kitchen, bakery and cold storage enlarged. The business currently has about 50 full and part-time staff.

But before the diggers could move in for their current project the couple had to spend £315,000 of their own cash for the Highways Authority to improve access on the A66.

“It was part of the planning conditions but now that has been completed we can get on with the next phase which involves building more retail space,” said Mr Henshaw.

The new extension will allow more local food producers – and craft and gift ware people – to display and sell their goods.

“These people have been very patient with us over the years while the road improvements were carried out, but we expect to open in October,” said Mr Henshaw, “It should create between seven and 12 new jobs.”

Due to the continuing success of Mainsgill the Henshaws have also taken on another 300 acres of nearby farmland to increase the number of cattle and sheep they rear. All the meat sold is home produced.