Hampshire farm shop to close after two years of trading

Hampshire Pantry <i>(Image: Newsquest)</i>
Hampshire Pantry (Image: Newsquest)
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A farm shop will close its doors for good later this month.

Hampshire Pantry, based on Bushfield Farm on Badger Farm Road in Winchester, will shut down permanently on September 30 after two years of trading.

The closure was announced by co-owner Patrick Young, who runs the shop alongside Annabel Terry, on the business’s Facebook page.

Mr Young said: "It is with the utmost heartbreak and sadness that we announce that Hampshire Pantry will be permanently closing at the end of September.

"This is not a decision that has been made lightly and is a direct result of our current site becoming untenable."

The farm shop focused on locally sourced goods, with much of its produce grown or made on the farm itself.

It quickly became a community hub, attracting nearly 18,000 followers across Facebook and Instagram and building a loyal customer base.

Mr Young said: "We cannot thank you enough for your loyalty and support over the last 2 years.

"The community that has built around us has been a joy and privilege to witness and it’s an immense source of pride for us that we’ve become a hub, safe place, and regular meeting spot for so many of you.

"We will miss you all."

He also expressed deep gratitude to the team behind the business.

Mr Young said: "The biggest thank you in the world goes to our staff, past and present, for their continuous hard work, trust, and belief in the vision of the Pantry and for being an incredibly talented, caring, and considerate team.

"It takes a special kind of team to run a business in a tent and another to do it quite so well."

He also acknowledged the support of their suppliers.

Mr Young said: "A further thank you must go to our wonderful suppliers, from daily kitchen deliveries, weekly egg deliveries for the farm shop, and beautiful pottery for the pot shop.

"We couldn’t have done this without you. Thank you for supporting us."

Despite the closure, Mr Young remains optimistic about the future.

He said: "It’s not the end of the book but rather the chapter and we hope to find a new home for you to visit us at once again, whatever format we may take."

Hampshire Pantry has been approached for comment.

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