Croots Farm Shop in Duffield to open their new restaurant
Loyal customers and charity supporters to officially open Croots Farm Shop’s new Shires Eatery in Derbyshire
Derbyshire farm shop Croots is to officially open its new restaurant on Friday May 10th 2013.
The honours at the farm shop near Duffield are being performed by long-standing loyal customers and local charity supporters John and Jean Griffiths.
The retired couple, who live in Draycott, have been shopping and eating at Croots Farm Shop regularly since it opened in 2008, and regarded their visits as ‘therapy’ after a period of ill-health, said Jean.
She said they were astounded to be asked to cut the ribbon to mark the official opening.
“We were absolutely taken aback,” said Jean. “I thought it would be at least the lady mayoress. It’s a lovely thought.”
Croots Farm Shop owner Steve Croot said: “We are delighted to be opening our new, expanded Shires Eatery. Our coffee shop was popular from day one and I’m so pleased that we can now welcome and serve more than twice as many people. Hopefully we’ll enjoy a sunny summer this year and we’ll be able to open up our decking area too.
“John and Jean have been loyal customers at Croots and we felt it was very fitting that they should help us celebrate the opening by performing the honours. They do such good work in the community.”
Croots has been working since earlier this year to expand its popular coffee shop to create the 60-seat Shires Eatery, which overlooks fields of Shire horses at Farnah House Farm in Wirksworth Road, as well as having a wider view of the Ecclesbourne Valley.
The new restaurant will serve a more varied menu, including a roast meal every day. New chef Kate Griffin is working alongside the existing hospitality team at Croots, and two new part-time assistants have been hired. Croots is also planning to take on an apprentice chef to help in the kitchen.
The expansion project marks a significant investment for the farm shop which was a runner-up in the Best UK Independent Food Retailer 2010 category of the Observer Food Monthly Awards and named in The Independent’s top 50 best food shops the year before.
Croots sells a range of food and drink produced locally, regionally and from further afield. It stocks products from up to 40 producers from within a 50-mile radius of the shop.
It also produces its own range of products, including sausages, pies and ready meals. Since establishing in 2008, it has built up a strong reputation for its butchers’ fresh meat counter - winning dozens of awards for home-made sausages, home-smoked bacon and other meat products.
John and Jean Griffiths will be cutting a ribbon at 9am on Friday May 10th to mark the official opening of Shires Eatery.
John is patron at Treetops Hospice in Risley and Jean was a volunteer there for 20 years and remains a supporter of the charity.
They began visiting Croots not long after it opened and enjoy regular visits – both to shop and to eat.
“I became ill in 2009 and the staff there were so kind. They sent a card and some lovely flowers. We got quite fond of them all. We used to call Croots our therapy,” added Jean. “We have remained loyal ever since. We find the staff so friendly and so helpful. We have always thoroughly enjoyed the food in the café.”
Croots Farm Shop is open Sundays from 10am to 4pm (Shires Restaurant until 3.45pm), and from Tuesday to Saturday from 9am to 5pm (Shires Eatery until 4.30pm). It is closed on Mondays.
For more information visit www.croots.co.uk
More News From Amber Valley Info
| Mobile speed camera locations in Derbyshire during June 2026 Derbyshire Casualty Reduction Enforcement Support Team (C.R.E.S.T) will be carrying out mobile safety camera enforcement read more | |
| DCG's Broomfield Hall set for a weekend of dogs, rare plants and family fun this July Broomfield Hall in Morley, Ilkeston, the historic campus of Derby College Group (DCG), will ope read more | |
| Derbyshire Wildlife Trust unveils nature-led vision for Common Farm in Amber Valley A 34-hectare site in Amber Valley is beginning a remarkable transformation into a thriving nature read more | |
| Local charities share community funding from Alfreton and Somercotes funeral directors Three community projects making a positive impact on peoples quality of life in and around Alf read more | |
| Belper teenager completes 160km horse ride in just two days A 14-year-old rider from Belper has completed her first 160km endurance ride with her horse, Cotswolds Shaquille. read more | |
The Amber Valley Info Noticeboard
| Food waste recycling is coming to Amber Valley From June 2026, Amber Valley Borough Council will introduce weekly food waste recycling across the borough as part of a phased roll-ou read more | |
| Stallholder Bookings Now Open For The Tansley Big Day Out We're excited to announce that Tansley's Big Day Out 2026 will take place on 6th & 7th June 2026! read more | |
| Christmas and New Year bin collection dates Over the festive season, bin collections will operate on revised schedules. Some collections may take place up to two days earlier than u read more | |
| Launch Of WOMBLE MANIA! At the Heights of Abraham, Opened by Marcus Robertson, Son of Wombles author, Elisabeth Beresford, officially launched WOMBLE MANIA! at the Heights of Abraha read more | |
| Belper School and Sixth Form Centre Closed Today Due to a significant water leak, resulting in the water being turned off at school, we unfortunately have to close the school today. read more | |
