Croots Farm Shop in Duffield to open their new restaurant
Published On Monday 6 May 2013 by Sticky Beak
See Recent News Articles
Loyal customers and charity supporters to officially open Croots Farm Shop’s new Shires Eatery in Derbyshire
Derbyshire farm shop Croots is to officially open its new restaurant on Friday May 10th 2013.
The honours at the farm shop near Duffield are being performed by long-standing loyal customers and local charity supporters John and Jean Griffiths.
The retired couple, who live in Draycott, have been shopping and eating at Croots Farm Shop regularly since it opened in 2008, and regarded their visits as ‘therapy’ after a period of ill-health, said Jean.
She said they were astounded to be asked to cut the ribbon to mark the official opening.
“We were absolutely taken aback,” said Jean. “I thought it would be at least the lady mayoress. It’s a lovely thought.”
Croots Farm Shop owner Steve Croot said: “We are delighted to be opening our new, expanded Shires Eatery. Our coffee shop was popular from day one and I’m so pleased that we can now welcome and serve more than twice as many people. Hopefully we’ll enjoy a sunny summer this year and we’ll be able to open up our decking area too.
“John and Jean have been loyal customers at Croots and we felt it was very fitting that they should help us celebrate the opening by performing the honours. They do such good work in the community.”
Croots has been working since earlier this year to expand its popular coffee shop to create the 60-seat Shires Eatery, which overlooks fields of Shire horses at Farnah House Farm in Wirksworth Road, as well as having a wider view of the Ecclesbourne Valley.
The new restaurant will serve a more varied menu, including a roast meal every day. New chef Kate Griffin is working alongside the existing hospitality team at Croots, and two new part-time assistants have been hired. Croots is also planning to take on an apprentice chef to help in the kitchen.
The expansion project marks a significant investment for the farm shop which was a runner-up in the Best UK Independent Food Retailer 2010 category of the Observer Food Monthly Awards and named in The Independent’s top 50 best food shops the year before.
Croots sells a range of food and drink produced locally, regionally and from further afield. It stocks products from up to 40 producers from within a 50-mile radius of the shop.
It also produces its own range of products, including sausages, pies and ready meals. Since establishing in 2008, it has built up a strong reputation for its butchers’ fresh meat counter - winning dozens of awards for home-made sausages, home-smoked bacon and other meat products.
John and Jean Griffiths will be cutting a ribbon at 9am on Friday May 10th to mark the official opening of Shires Eatery.
John is patron at Treetops Hospice in Risley and Jean was a volunteer there for 20 years and remains a supporter of the charity.
They began visiting Croots not long after it opened and enjoy regular visits – both to shop and to eat.
“I became ill in 2009 and the staff there were so kind. They sent a card and some lovely flowers. We got quite fond of them all. We used to call Croots our therapy,” added Jean. “We have remained loyal ever since. We find the staff so friendly and so helpful. We have always thoroughly enjoyed the food in the café.”
Croots Farm Shop is open Sundays from 10am to 4pm (Shires Restaurant until 3.45pm), and from Tuesday to Saturday from 9am to 5pm (Shires Eatery until 4.30pm). It is closed on Mondays.
For more information visit www.croots.co.uk
| The Bakewell Tart Shop Reopens with Fresh Look, New Features, and Big Ambitions After a three-week closure and major refurbishment, The Bakewell Tart Shop has officially reopened - unveiling a fresh new look, exciting Read The Article | |
| Hoar Cross Hall Celebrates One Year of the Spa Terrace with Summer DJ Event Featuring Nathan Dawe Hoar Cross Hall Hotel & Spa has marked the first anniversary of its Spa Terrace with a sun-drenched celebration and special Read The Article | |
| Opening date announced for The Spirit Run Distillery and Bar at Derby Market Hall Get ready for an exciting new addition to Derby Market Hall! The Spirit Run Distillery and Bar will launch on Saturday 19 July. The venue is the latest venture Read The Article | |
| Casa Hotel and Peak Edge Toast a Derbyshire First with Premium Alcohol-Free Offerings Two of Derbyshires leading four-star hotels - Casa Hotel in Chesterfield and Peak Edge Hotel in the Peak District - are raising the bar for mindful Read The Article | |
| The Cupola Kitchen and Rooms in Stoney Middleton launches 'The Cupawla' - a menu just for dogs A stylish new cafe and visitor centre in one of the Peak District's most scenic walking destinations has gone to the dogs - in the best Read The Article | |
| BEAR named finalist in the 2025 Allica Bank Great British Entrepreneur Awards Midlands, UK - BEAR has been named a finalist in the 2025 Allica Bank Great British Entrepreneur Awards, shortlisted in the Equity-Backed Entrepreneur Read The Article | |
| Celebrate The Summer Season At Award-Winning Fischer's Baslow Hall What better way to enjoy summer than an experience at Fischers Baslow Hall. Whether you're venturing for a long-earned getaway or simply calling for Read The Article | |
| The Ashford Arms Shortlisted For Best Country Pub In The Great British Pub Awards 2025 The Ashford Arms, a beautifully restored country pub with rooms in Ashford-in-the-Water, has been shortlisted in the Best Country Pub category at the Read The Article | |
| The Cavendish Hotel at Baslow Wins Gold at the Visit England Awards for Excellence 2025 The Cavendish Hotel at Baslow has been awarded Gold in the Taste of England category in the VisitEngland Awards for Excellence 2025 Read The Article | |
| Top Nottingham chef celebrates one year with star collaborations The highly successful first year in business of a popular restaurant in Nottingham’s Bridlesmith Gate is being celebrated with a unique series of guest chef collaborations. Read The Article | |