Albion Farm Shop full statement on future of the business

The Turkey Shed at Albion Farm Shop, Delph. <i>(Image: The Turkey Shed)</i>
The Turkey Shed at Albion Farm Shop, Delph. (Image: The Turkey Shed)
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A popular farm shop and cafe in Saddleworth has shared a statement on the future of the business.

A notice was shared in the London Gazette and detailed an upcoming meeting of creditors to discuss possible liquidation processes being put into place for Hirst Family Trading Ltd, trading as Albion Farm Shop.

Laura Hirst, the daughter of David and Annette Hirst, who run Hirst Family Trading Ltd, has said that the farm shop, cafe and event space have been handed down to her.

The site will operate under her company, LJ Albion & Sons Ltd.

She said: "Albion Farm Shop and Cafe will remain in the family and has been passed down to LJ Albion & Sons Ltd, which is owned by daughter, Laura Hirst. 

"This also includes The Turkey Shed, which hosts regular food pop-ups and Live Musicians, and our new website, which is already live. 

"Our staff have all chosen to remain at Albion Farm, and our passion for promoting locally sourced and British Farm produce is greater than ever before. 

"We are the 5th generation of Albion Farm, and the business is our life.

"Our main aim is to provide jobs to the local community, a channel for local and British producers to sell their goods, a place for people to gather and socialise, and an opportunity to produce hearty and wholesome home-cooked food, which includes meat raised on our very own Farm.

"Partner, Jac, will also be helping to run the business, along with sons Sidney, 4, and Gus, 18 Months.

"We would like to say a huge thank you to mum (Annette) and dad (David) for all the hard work they have put in to creating a business that has become part of our community, when it really has not been easy! 

"Foot & Mouth, BSE, a recession, Covid, bounce back loans, consistent increases in wages, NI, business rates, fees to gain licenses, the list goes on.

"It’s been a lot, so retirement has been well earned.

"Hospitality is extremely hard and mentally draining, especially at this moment in time.

"We also thank all of our wonderful customers and hope that they all keep coming through the doors and supporting all the hard work that our fabulous staff and local producers put in to making it work so well."

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