|
|
||
| Page updated 27 July 2005 |
|
Country Market is a 300 acre family owned Farm, Farm Shop and Garden Centre providing customers with a level of personal service and customer care that escapes most modern retail outlets. The facilities at Country market have recently enhanced even further following the opening of a superb Banqueting and Conference Suite on the site. It hasn't always been that large but the service has remained unchanged as it has grown over the last 30 years or so. The story starts in 1965 when June Marshall started selling surplus produce from her garage, mostly potatoes, from a 3 acre site farmed by her husband Peter while employed as a manager for the neighbouring farm. She also sold mushrooms and eggs as well as some additional items bought from other local growers. |
||
 |
||
|
The original Country Market, with regular opening hours, was opened in 1971. In the same year an additional 40 acres of land was rented and the farm production began to more closely match the requirements of the shop. In 1975,
with the acquisition of a 60'x20' polythene tunnel the Marshall husband
and wife partnership added bedding plants to their growing trade as well
as diversifying into "Pick-Your-Own". |
 |
By the late 1980s Country Market had expanded to the point where it had outgrown its 2,000 square ft premises. In searching for new accommodation, Peter Marshall knew he had just the barn to form the basis of a new farm complex elsewhere on the 300 acres he now farms. | ||
 |
The barn in question was a semi-redundant 19th century grain store. It was moved from its original site and painstakingly restored on its present site in 1989. While many original timbers and features have been retained the building has been extended to include a number of shops and to provided access to the growing garden centre and nursery areas. In 1990 the popular "Cornucopia" Restaurant was opened on the first floor |
| Now over 30 years on from its small beginnings, with three grown children and six grand children, and having farmed a broad spectrum of crops including arable, market garden, livestock and even hops, June and Peter Marshall have a business which has grown dramatically into a complex of outlets. Today the running of this privately owned family business is in partnership the two sons Gary and Dean with the valued assistance of 60 full time and part time staff - but the personal service remains. | ||
| The business cleverly retains its rustic appeal with fresh ideas emerging and blooming all the time - who knows what the next 30 years may bring. Check the news page for the latest information on the continuing development of Country Market. |
| Return to: Opening Page |
|
|
|||
|
Country
Market
Malthouse & Osborne Farms Kingsley Bordon Hants. GU35 9LW |
We
are signposted 6 miles south of Farnham
on the A325 between Farnham and Bordon Phone: 01420 472486 Fax: 01420 487736 PY0 Information Line 01420 477582 |
||