16 January 2007, 16:17 PM
  • A new internet site that acts as a gateway to the world of farm shops, farmers’ markets and specialist rural retailers has been launched by Lincolnshire farmer, Simon Whitton.

Www.farmshop.uk.com opens the door to a countryside superstore – helping shoppers across the UK to discover some of the best places to buy local produce.

The website features a range of rural-based stores, and gives countryside businesses the chance to have their own easy-to-update web pages, or a link to their existing website.

Now Mr Whitton, who farms at Kexby, near Gainsborough, is urging fellow rural producers and farmers to consider signing up – and gaining a web presence that’s simple to maintain and could bring them extra customers. “Websites have become absolutely vital to businesses, but very often smaller firms either haven’t got round to launching one, or they set it up but then rarely update it,” he explains. “Www.farmshop.uk.com works on two levels. It promotes and advertises rural shops, and it also helps countryside businesses to have their own website, which is easy to update. Anyone who already has a website can opt instead for a listing on the site that will take visitors to their existing website.”

He adds, “The website aims to feature all the places that sell the very finest produce that’s available across the UK, and I hope it will be the first place customers turn to when they are looking for shops that sell quality local food and drink, rural crafts or any other specialist products from the countryside.”

The site has an easy-to-use, region-by-region search facility to allow consumers to discover what’s available in their area. A listing on the site costs £10 plus VAT per month, while a listing and a farm shop small business website that’s easy to manage and includes an email address, costs £250 plus VAT per year. For further details click onto www.farmshop.uk.com or call Simon Whitton on 01427 787076.