A ONE-stop farm shop and variety packs of meat are what Mr Andrew Henshaw and his wife, Maria, hope will make their new venture different from the rest.

The couple have been running a small shop at their farm alongside the A66 for the last two months, but it has proved so successful that they are now definitely going ahead with their plans for a stand-alone, purpose-built shop and car park.

The Henshaws already have planning permission from Richmondshire District Council and funding from the European Objective 5b through North Yorkshire County Council economic development unit.

"We will not just sell meat but dairy products, vegetables and probably have a bakery too; it will be a one-stop farm shop," said Mr Henshaw, whose Mainsgill Farm stands opposite the East Layton turn off on the A66 Scotch Corner to Penrith road.

The couple bought the 57-acre farm after marrying five years ago. They are both from farming families in Lancashire; Mrs Henshaw from near Blackpool and Mr Henshaw from Southport. They now have two children, Jack, aged three, and Rachel, three months.

"We did very well really as a young couple to get a farm of our own," said Mr Henshaw. "We had a good two years but then, like others, were hit hard by the farming crisis. We first thought of opening a shop three years ago. We are next to such a busy road, it seemed the obvious thing to do."

They spent a long time discussing the plans with officials and getting everything the way they wanted it. Meanwhile they converted what was the garage next to the farmhouse into a small shop which has a large display cabinet packed with their own meat and other items produced locally, such as Swaledale cheese.

"We thought we would do better to start off on a small scale and build up, but it has gone so well that we have decided to go ahead with the full scheme in the next couple of months," said Mr Henshaw.

The couple rear pigs, beef cattle and sheep. The farm is all down to grass and additional land is rented. They have 100 sows, which produce stores and fat pigs for the shop and elsewhere.

The beef is from Aberdeen Angus and Continental heifers which are usually two years old and weigh between 420kg and 460kg. They graze in the fields during summer and at other times of the year are fed mainly on grass silage, with potatoes when available.

"All the beef is hung for two weeks and the customers keep coming back saying how tasty it is," said Mrs Henshaw.

The pigs are also noted for their flavour which, the Henshaws believe, is partly due to their diet including whey from the Swaledale cheese.

The lambs are traditionally grazed Charolais and Texel cross sheep. "The customer is wanting a decent cut of meat, not a lot of fat but not too lean, and we have to give them whatever they want," said Mr Henshaw.

"That is why the shop is proving a success, we are producing what the customer wants."

Customers are from the local area as well as further afield.

"We have had a few say they saw us on their way for a holiday in Scotland and thought they would call in for some sausages on their way home," said Mr Henshaw.

The shop sells pork and apple, Cumberland, and farmhouse pork sausages although a new sausage machine is expected to boost the range on offer.

"We also do the regular Wednesday market in Barnard Castle, where we have attracted some regular customers, and the farmers' market held there," he said.

The Henshaws have invested in a refrigerated van for deliveries, including those to pubs, hotels and other outlets, and also offer boxes of meat.

"We sell individual pieces through to freezer packs, which range from £15 to £50," said Mr Henshaw. " Because of the range of livestock we can supply a mixed variety in the boxes - beef, lamb or pork. People don't always want to eat all lamb or all beef."

The shop has meant a part-time worker has been taken on to help on the farm.

"You have to keep the farm right but you have to shut yourself off from it when you are working for the shop," said Mr Henshaw, "You can't do both at the same time."

With the new shop, more local jobs will be created.

Meanwhile the couple are getting ready for the busy Christmas period. "We do turkeys, ducks and geese which are all reared on the farm," said Mr Henshaw.

Mainsgill Farm can be contacted on 01325 718385