There’s no click and collect, no buy-one-get-one-free, and not a self-scan till in sight – the Bowland Food Hall is set to transform food shopping when it opens in Clitheroe on Thursday June 29.
The Food Hall, part of the £10million Holmes Mill redevelopment by hospitality group James’ Places, aims to showcase the best of food and drink from Bowland, Lancashire and beyond.
More than 50 local suppliers are already signed up to the new outlet, many of them award winning. All share the James’ Places passion for excellence and top quality produce.
Food Hall buyer Alison Ashworth said: “We are supporting the local, the artisan, the craftsman and the specialist – which has always been the James’ Places ethos since we started 20 years ago.
The Bowland Food Hall will be the larder of Holmes Mill, providing what you want rather than what you need, all with the James’ Places magic.
“It will be food shopping as it used to be and how it should be. It will be a joy, not a chore. Customers can expect beautiful food and drink with the opportunity to taste, smell, watch demonstrations, enjoy a chat and refreshment, gather ideas for creating amazing dishes and revel in sourcing the best ingredients.”
Producers already lined up to supply the Food Hall include award-winners Leagram Cheese, Gazegill Organics and Rory Porter Butchers, of Chatburn, whose pork pies have been praised by BBC Radio 2 presenter Chris Evans.
Rapeseed oil from Wignall’s will be on sale alongside Bowland Eggs, smoked trout from the Bowland Smokehouse and treats from the Bowland Chocolate Company.
Another supplier is Mr Yeti, run by Adam Wallbank from a purpose-built kitchen using sustainable electricity in an unused building on his parents’ farm at Gisburn. After making healthy snacks for friends, Adam turned his hobby into a business and his organic, raw, natural bars will be on sale in the Food Hall.
He said: “I’m thrilled that Mr Yeti is to be part of The Food Hall, which will support the local economy and businesses, and create a market for local products to compete with national companies.”
Bowland Food Hall will also sell food made on-site by the Holmes Mill team of chefs under the ‘Holmes Made’ brand. These will include handmade chocolates, fudge, breads, cakes, chutneys, preserves, soups, salads, sandwiches, smoothies and desserts, plus a range of ready-made main courses to heat up at home.
Exceptional dining experiences sit alongside the exciting retail offering showcasing the Bowland larder. Think juices and smoothies, patisserie, tapas and meet the chef demos.
Said Alison: “We are very excited about our Demo Kitchen, where customers can learn how to make that dish they have just enjoyed eating. We are bursting with plans for bakery demonstrations, evening cookery schools and culinary masterclasses, all with 100% of ingredients sourced from the Food Hall.”
Although a showcase for Lancashire and Bowland, the Food Hall will look further afield if it can’t find the product, or the quality and consistency the customer is looking for locally.
Alison added: “Having said that, we will always work with local producers, sharing our experiences and knowledge of the market to help them develop and grow so they can supply us in the future.”
The conversion of the Holmes Mill weaving shed into the Bowland Food Hall is the latest phase in its transformation by James’ Places. Other must-visits at Holmes Mill are the Beer Hall, which houses what is believed to be one of the longest bars in Britain, and its function room, gelateria and shop. A 39 bedroom apart-hotel, bar and brasserie is due to open during the summer.
James’ Places portfolio includes Holmes Mill, The Emporium, Clitheroe, Waddington Arms in Waddington, Mitton Hall at Mitton, The Royal Hotel at Kirkby Lonsdale, Eaves Hall, West Bradford, Shireburn Arms at Hurst Green, Falcon Manor, Settle and the Bowland Brewery. All share the same service values and ethos for beautiful surroundings with exceptional food and drink.
