Expansion brewing for Blanchland Tea Rooms

Blanchland Tea Rooms is set to expand with the help of a £64,656 grant from Defra's Rural Enterprise Scheme (RES).

Farmer's wife, Jill Lumley, who has run the business for the last seven years, joined forces with her landlords, Lord Crewe's Charity, to draw up the plans to move into The Old School House in the centre of the village.

Now with support from RES, work is complete and the new tea rooms have opened.

Mrs Lumley, whose husband Denis runs the family's hill farm on the outskirts of Blanchland, said:

"Our existing premises consisted of a small cottage-style building in a little side street. Many people simply didn't know we were there.

"The new premises are larger and in a much more prominent location. We will now be able to provide disabled access and toilet facilities as well as more seating both inside and outside.

"At the moment we are a seasonal business. However, once we move into the new premises, we plan to stay open on weekends in the winter months and will be open every day from Easter to October.

"The support we've had from Lord Crewe's Charity and the funding from Defra has been wonderful. Without it we would not have been able to expand in this way. We've also had a lot of help from Business Link for Northumberland."

Jon Williams, land agent for Lord Crewe's Charity, said:

"The grant funding means we can do a quality job, to revamp the Old School House and improving facilities for visitors in this lovely village.

"Mrs Lumley already employs 14 part-time staff, some of whom will become full-time as a result of this expansion. She is also a partner in the family's farming business. Strengthening the business will be beneficial for the local community".

Karen Purvis, Rural Development Adviser at Defra's Rural Development Service in the North East, said:

"One of the aims of RES is to help support the development of the rural economy, so rural businesses are eligible for funding.

"This project will ensure the ongoing sustainability of what is already a successful business, allowing it to grow and bring further benefits to the area, providing jobs and attracting visitors who will spend time and money in the area."