A new family-run visitor attraction has called on its already impressive number of loyal customers for support as it looks to secure its future and expand.
As reported by Daily Focus, Bobby’s Ice Cream Parlour, in Hulme, Stoke-on-Trent, opened in May serving Snugburys ice cream, drinks, cakes and other treats.
It is also home to a variety of animals and hosts a sandpit and outdoor toys to keep little ones entertained.
The venture, which is free to enter, is the brainchild of Craig and Nat Taylor – the family behind Taylor’s Butchers of Trentham and Bentilee.
After a successful summer, which has seen them host food vans and character visits and attract 10,000 followers on their Facebook page, the pair have applied for part retrospective planning permission to convert a former agricultural building to retail use.
If approved, the application to Staffordshire Moorlands District Council will cover the current use of a previously empty building as an ice cream parlour, and also allow Craig and Nat to create an indoor seating area, which will be crucial to allowing them to continue to open in the winter months.
Craig issued a rallying call on social media, encouraging customers to leave comments of support as part the council’s consultation period on the plans which ends tomorrow, 7 September.
He told Daily Focus: “As a family who grew up in the local area, stocking local products and creating jobs for local people, this planning application is huge for us. If it doesn’t go ahead, our only option will be to close from October until March.
“We want to be able to continue throughout the winter to provide a place for families to go without spending a lot of money and keep local people in jobs.”
He added: “Diversification is the only way forward for farms like us.
“We didn’t expect Bobby’s to become so popular so quickly, but the response has been fantastic.
“It started out as a way that Nat could work from home after having a baby, but we already employ seven local people and we expect to create more jobs if we get the go ahead to create indoor seating.”
Future plans for the business include more special days for people with special educational needs and Craig is also in talks about the farm being used by mental health services.
The planning application also seeks permission for the use of an overflow car park and the implementation of vehicular access improvements.
Dozens of people have left comments about the plans on the council’s website.
One of them, Karl Mason, from Weston Coyney, wrote: “It’s lovely to see new businesses in the current climate making headway and one that thinks of all the community’s needs.”
Joseph Warrington, also from Weston Coyney, added: “A truly fantastic place that should be encouraged to grow.”
A representative from La Piccola Pizzeria, one of the small businesses to stage a pop-up at the Hulme Lane farm over the summer, said: “They are definitely helping to support the local community and businesses; they give anyone an option to set up on their site and sell their own products. It’s definitely helped me this year to keep my head above water with the current economic situation.”
However, some objections have been received with concerns including road safety, levels of traffic and noise.
Nearby resident Philip Weston said: “The amount of traffic has increased tenfold. These lanes are busy enough without the added traffic coming to Bobby’s.”
The plans can be viewed here, where there is also an option to leave comments.
I find this article very misleading,how can a business that had no permission to open at all rally support to expand, The wording of diversity from farming is completely wrong as to diversify you have to have been a farmer on the land,Mr Taylor is not a farmer and never has been.
Some bitter people out there Karen & Kevin
Bobby’s has been an absolute godsend to some families this year especially with the cost of living going up tenfold. Very few places offer free admission and to be able to take your children to see the animals and use all the facilities it has to offer is truly appreciated. The opportunity Bobby’s is giving to local businesses which have struggled through covid and still struggling is absolutely amazing. Well done Bobby’s 👏
Bobbys is a lovely place to visit.
The ice-cream is amazing.
We should be showing our local businesses lots of support I welcome and support any plans to expand that they have as long as keeping it free to enter and value for money when their.