LADY Venetia Fuller launched her latest delicious business venture in style on Tuesday.

The enterprising wife of Sir James Fuller held a champagne launch to celebrate the opening of her new farm and coffee shop at Neston Park Farm near Atworth.

Lady Fuller has opened the new business in partnership with Martin Still, 41, owner of the award-winning Pear Tree Inn in Whitley.

Lady Fuller, 36, began selling organic meat boxes from the estate about 18 months ago.

Demand was so high for the meat from the farm's unique Aberdeen Angus and Jersey cross cattle that she decided the best way to supply the market was to open her own shop.

The plan developed and now the shop is open and providing a range of meat sourced from local farms sharing Neston's humane-rearing philosophy.

Within the farm shop is a coffee shop, offering a varied selection of freshly-made soup, home-made cakes, pasties and sandwiches as well as freshly ground coffee and other drinks.

Lady Fuller, who has two children, Archie, five, and three-year-old Harry, is also offering a wide selection of specially made children's foods.

Diners can eat while enjoying the smell of baking breads and cakes from the on-site bakery, manned by a team of artisan bakers.

For those who wish to stock up their larder there is a delicatessen as well as the bakery.

The deli stocks a range of home-made pates and dips as well as an extensive range of antipasti and olives, hand-made cheeses, Scottish smoked salmon, fine wines and locally-produced chutneys and jams.

Lady Fuller and Mr Still hope to eventually create a special range of Neston Park jams and other preserves for the wholesale market. For more information call Neston Park Farm Shop on (01225) 810211.

FACT FILE:

  • The coffee shop and farm shop opened for business on Wednesday, following a champagne reception on Tuesday night.
  • It is open from 8.30am to 6.30pm Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm on Saturdays and 10.30am to 4.30pm on Sundays.