Farm shop and tea room closes near Middlewich after almost a decade (From Middlewich Guardian)

Farm shop and tea room closes near Middlewich after almost a decade

9:00am Sunday 12th February 2012 in News By David Morgan

AN award-winning farm shop and tea room near Middlewich has shut its doors after almost a decade serving the community.

Customers at Hopley House in Nantwich Road, Wimboldsley, enjoyed a final round of tea and cakes on Saturday.

“The pressures, responsibilities and red tape of being a successful business have begun to take their toll and have overshadowed the enjoyment we take out of it,” said owner Trish Ryan, in a letter to customers.

The Guardian visited the family business on Friday.

Trish said that the decision was made so that she can focus on setting up a new cake business with her sister Joanne called Susie May’s.

The former Middlewich High School student also wants her parents Margery, 67, and Peter, 72, to have the opportunity to enjoy their retirement and go travelling.

New Orleans is at the top of their wish list.

“They were supposed to be semi-retired when we started the business together in 2003 but they kept on working,” added Trish.

“We’ve got very mixed emotions but we just want to put the family first.”

The closure will be particularly difficult for Peter as he has worked in family butchers and farm shops since he was nine.

Five people have also lost their part-time jobs.

“We’d like to thank all the staff,” said Margery.

“A lot of people have made a special visit for their ‘last supper’. A couple came in yesterday who have been with us since the beginning.

“I’m quite proud that we’ve managed to maintain the quality for nine years.”

Trish added: “It will be very sad to shut the doors and not to see our loyal customers. A lot have become friends.”

The Wimboldsley business was renowned for sourcing the majority of its food and drink from within a 30 mile radius.

Trish said: “We’ve stuck to our guns with locally-sourced ingredients.

“A lot of farms are starting to sell independently but supermarkets are convenient and dominate.”

Hopley House’s bed and breakfast service will continue to run as normal and has recently won a silver award from Visit Britain.