DAY trippers and holiday-makers who drive straight past Country Harvest as they journey along the A65 are missing out on a true centre of excellence. The stone-built barn near Ingleton is brimming with local produce, crafts, gifts, books and clothes, and houses a coffee shop with stunning views of Ingleborough from its windows, writes Rachel Kitchen.

The venture was the brainchild of Richard Halhead, and Liz and Mike Barker, friends and neighbouring farmers in Cockerham.

The Barkers had always been interested in taking up a challenge outside farming, while their neighbour was looking for "something to occupy him" when his son came back to the farm.

Around 1990 they came up with the idea of a farm shop, but realised Cockerham was too isolated, so they began looking for sites on the A6.

Planning permission could not be secured for the locations they liked, so they turned their sights to a derelict old filling station on the A65, which already had partial planning consent for redevelopment.

The business partners bought the site, knocked down the old garage and built a new stone barn in keeping with the Yorkshire Dales countryside.

Doors opened in 1993. "The vision was to sell farm produce with a few gifts and crafts as well," recalled Richard.

"The reason we came up here was that we realised there was a lot of traffic movement on this road from West Yorkshire and East Lancashire through to the Lake District and on up to Scotland. Soon after we opened we realised people were calling in expecting to find refreshment, so we revamped the retail area to accommodate a 20-seater coffee shop."

So popular did the coffee shop prove as "a watering hole" that it began to encroach upon the shop. The answer was to build an extension. Last October the 80 to 90-seater restaurant complete with new kitchens opened, run under separate licence by Peter Hudson, and employing around 20 staff. Richard and Liz say customers comment on the excellent waitress service, quality menu items, and traditional touches such as leaf tea served with a teapot and strainer.

From the beginning, the philosophy of the farm shop has been to stock goods made by small, speciality producers, and tempting products arrayed in chill cabinets and shelves include Morecambe Bay potted shrimps, Furness fish, Ingleton gingerbread, Toffee Shop fudge from Penrith, Hawkshead relish, sausages from Slacks of Tebay, Cowmire Hall damson gin, Kennedy's chocolates of Orton, cakes from Yorkshire Fayre of Settle, and Wensleydale Creamery cheese.

"We source as much as possible from local suppliers, either small, niche producers or distributors," said Richard. "We visit trade fairs and exhibitions, and we are also members of North West Fine Foods and Yorkshire Pantry - that gives us access to small producers."

Liz said the partners were very pleased when Country Harvest's cheese counter was judged 1999 Independent Cheese Retailer of the Year for the United Kingdom. "I think it was the standard of service we provided, the extensive range of specialist cheeses, and good staff," said Liz. Customers are welcome to sample cheeses, and counter staff are knowledgeable.

Liz and Richard say Country Harvest attracts people from up to 100 miles away - some of them for days out - thanks to passing trade and the power of word of mouth. "It's not only the quality of the product that attracts these people there's a feelgood factor about the shop, it's almost a leisure activity," said Richard.

As supermarkets move away from the "pile it high, stack it cheap" ethos towards sourcing more local produce, the partners say it is becoming increasingly difficult to compete. So how do they? "By keeping our ear to the ground all the time, constantly looking for new products," explained Richard.

"We try to source small producers that can't supply the supermarkets," added Liz. The partners also aim to keep prices competitive.

After the hectic Christmas build-up which starts as early as September the time has come to visit more trade fairs and source new products. And, with turnover approaching the million pound mark this year, the partners are heading for a milestone to be proud of.

l To contact Country Harvest call

015242-42223 or visit the firm's website: www.country-harvest.co.uk