News / New farm shop and cafe to open this week
A NEW farm shop and cafe is set to open in Cunningsburgh on Friday after years of planning.
The venture, which is expected to create eight local jobs, aims to sell food sourced as locally as possible from producers across Shetland.
Mackenzie’s Farm Shop & Café is run by the Mackenzie family, who own nearby crofting land as well as self-catering accommodation in Cunningsburgh.
Daughter Kayleigh will run new beauty salon Aiyana in one of the building’s rented units.
Owner Hazel Mackenzie said planning permission was first sought in 2014 for the building, which lies just off the main A970 road at the north entrance to Cunningsburgh.
They secured funding from EU’s LEADER programme and Shetland Islands Council, which had to be matched by the family.
The Mackenzies first forayed into selling produce in a roadside honesty box, which expanded when the only shop in Cunningsburgh closed in 2013.
“We’ve worked hard for several years and are looking forward to seeing our own beef, lamb, mutton, pork, eggs, fruit and vegetables plus knitting and crafts in our own farm shop on our own croft,” Hazel said.
“To sit down and eat our own produce and the produce of other like-minded crofters and farmers in a unique setting, looking our over the sea to Bressay and up towards Lerwick Harbour and down to the South Mainland.”
Opening hours will be 7am to 6.30pm (Mon to Fri), 9am to 6.30pm on Saturdays, and 11am to 5pm on Sundays.
A more detailed feature on the new venture can be read here.
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