A traditional Somerset cider farm that has become an important tourist attraction and outlet for local food producers, has now opened a restaurant with the help of an £89,000 grant from the South West of England Regional Development Agency (RDA). The 60 seat Cider Press Restaurant at Rich's Cider Farm, Watchfield near Highbridge, is an exciting development for Jan Scott, whose family has run the farm for over 50 years.The South West RDA's investment has been made under the EU England Rural Development Programme.
It goes towards a new building and car park, as well as for the development of new single variety plus sparkling ciders, to capitalise on growing demand for the local drink.
It follows an earlier grant in 2002 which saw Rich's Cider Farm become an important focus for local producers.
As well as having fifty acres of apple orchards itself, it buys apples for pressing from over fifty local farms in Somerset, helping to safeguard their market against competition from cheap apple concentrate sourced abroad.
The traditionally produced cider is sold through a wide range of outlets and the new project will foster further co-operation between rural businesses, with knock-on benefits at the restaurant for the local producers who already sell goods at the farm's shop."Cider has taken on new popularity, with huge interest among tourists, and our farm is famous for it as well as the other local produce," notes Jan Scott, who runs the venture with her husband Brian.
“As a result of the first grant it has all worked so well, and we have been able to help many other local producers. It's very close to my heart, the farm has been in my family for over fifty years and we're keeping it for our children too," she said.
