FROM FIELD TO FORK…
The new owners of Roaming Roosters set out their plans for this thriving foodie destination that features the best of local Lancashire produce. Photography: Kirsten Platt
Bonding two buzzing businesses to create one thriving local food destination is the aim of self-confessed ‘foodies’ Andy Jones and Andy Riley.
They are the new owners of Roaming Roosters – famed for its local produce sourced from Lancashire’s bountiful larder.
The two Andys first sowed the seed of owning their own food destination after visiting Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall’s River Cottage where they learned butchery and cookery skills.
“When the opportunity came up with Roaming Roosters, we decided to go for it. It’s perfect for us!” recall the duo, who are hoping to expand the venture threefold.
With the Roaming Roosters farm shop and restaurant now united, visitors are able to buy in the shop what they enjoy in the bistro and vice versa, with the produce used by the chefs coming from the farm shop.
“The shop and restaurant are dependent on each other and their success is all down to fantastic local produce,” says Andy Jones, as he points out the farms in the distance, where Roaming Roosters sources its grass-fed, free range beef.
“We try to source everything as locally as possible from the same suppliers so we can achieve a premium quality that is consistent in all our products.”
The farm shop on the Roaming Roosters estate is packed with the tastiest fresh lamb, beef and pork. The experts behind the counter can be seen displaying their butchery skills while in the fridges there are Roaming Roosters speciality sausages, burgers and home-made ready meals.
There are Lancashire cheeses too and free range eggs – this is a true farm shop in all its delicious glory!
In the restaurant great British classics are served – juicy steak and home-made chips, hand-made pies along with traditional liver and onions.
“In the restaurant and the shop we have the same ethos. We know the provenance of all our produce and that’s why we have such great ingredients.”
Employing 27 people on site, the new owners of Roaming Roosters have ambitious plans in the pipeline. Developing the outbuildings and barns will be one of the main aims – to ensure that Roaming Roosters becomes a family destination where children can play and families can enjoy a day out.
“We’re trying to create a place where people can enjoy themselves and taste some of the fantastic local produce we have to offer,” adds Andy, who plans to have animals on site as well as poly-tunnels where fruit and vegetables can be grown for the farm shop and restaurant.
“We would also like to get involved in more social enterprise schemes giving people opportunities. This is a place that we want to cement into the community, become a key employer and bring people to the region.”
Roaming Roosters
Barrowford Road
Higham BB12 9ER
01282 612828
www.roamingroosters.co.uk
