The owners of a beloved farm shop and park have explained their decision to close after a quarter of a century.
Mike and Joanna Harper announced their decision to shut Top Barn’s farm shop and park at the end of October.
In a video shared on their websites and social media, Mr Harper said: “After 25 years of running the farm shop and 15 years of running the farm park, we have decided at the end of next month, October 31, to bring both businesses to a close.”
Mrs Harper said: “It is a huge deal and quite sad, but we have taken many months to make a very deliberate decision at a good time for us because we came to a crossroads.”
The couple were left needing to decide whether to invest more money or try something new with the benefit of a better work-life balance.
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Mrs Harper said: “We recognise there will be a lot of sadness about this decision; there is for us.
“We love what we do, we are passionate about real food and producing food, and selling it to a local community.
“All our farm park customers love our farm park, and it has been a wonderful space for families to come and meet.
“We are so grateful for your support and all the feedback we have had.”
While the farm shop and park will be closing, Top Barn will continue as a farm producing eggs, lamb and pork, and will be selling Christmas trees over the coming months at the farm shop.
Mr Harper said: “We really want to enjoy these last few weeks, so do come in and enjoy the shop.
“There will obviously be some offers to help us clear the shelves, so make the most of that.”
