All office units within the development are currently let.

PRESS RELEASE - NOVEMBER 2002

DEFRA funding turns old farm building into Office

A century old cow shippon is about to turn into a prestigious business centre for a Cheshire farming family, generating a new source of income.

W.I.R. Darlington, of Spring Farm, Minshull Vernon, near Crewe, have benefited from a Government grant aimed at encouraging farmers to diversify. It came in the form of grant aid from Defra's Rural Enterprise Scheme, plus European Union funding.

The Darlingtons, who have been dairy farming for five generations, sold their herd of 200 cows in the light of falling dairy farming revenues. Now the family are inviting DEFRA Minister Margaret Beckett to officially open a set of five luxury office suites that are being formed out of the shippon conversion.

"I think it's a sad reflection on modern times when dairy farming is barely sustainable," said Peter Darlington, who joined the family partnership, running Spring Farm with his parents, Ian and Phyllis, 16 years ago, and now rears pedigree Charolais cattle as beef breeding stock.

His great-grand-father and grand-parents bought Spring Farm 55 years ago. "They fell for the main range of buildings the moment they saw them. They would take some satisfaction in knowing the cow shippon is being restored to its former glory, and will produce an income for the next generations of their family for years to come," said Mr Darlington.

The redundant shippon was surplus to requirement, and a perfect object for agricultural diversification so vigorously encouraged by the Government.

"It's a fine brick building dating back to Edwardian days, and lends itself ideally as a peaceful location for businesses that do not require a town centre or high street presence," said Mr Darlington. "Each of the office units will be fitted out to the highest standard, and many of the building's original and characteristic features such as wooden beams will be left to their original beauty," he added

A Cheshire business, CMSUK, a food audit service provider, will be among the first tenants to occupy the rustic office premises when the first phase of conversion work is completed in October. The remainder is expected to be ready for tenancy by December.

Pic captions: Farmer Peter Darlington in the development, which the family are converting into prestigious office business centre.