A “charming” farm shop is on the market for £1.5 million as the couple behind it looks to retire.
Frankie and Marcel Franke are looking for people with “enthusiasm and energy” to take on the business, which has taken them 12 years to build up.
Frankie’s Farm Shop, which also features a restaurant and garden centre, is set in nearly three acres in Clapper Lane, Staplehurst and turned over £1,483,250 in 2023.
It is advertised on Rightmove as an “excellent opportunity” with “considerable scope to grow the retail offer.”
The listing states: “Frankie’s Farm Shop is a well-established and highly regarded business that is ideal for a regional operator or lifestyle purchaser.
“The business occupies recently modernised buildings but still offers many avenues for incoming owners to grow sales and profitability.
“It is our opinion that the business is still in the build-up phase and that turnover for 2024 should exceed that of 2023.”
The Frankes, who also own Staplehurst Nurseries, told KentOnline that while the business had been a big part of their lives they were ready to hand it over and move towards their retirement.
Marcel, 59, said: “We’ve been here 12-13 years now with the shop and restaurant, so we feel as though we need to hand it on to somebody with some new enthusiasm and energy to take it forward.
“I think there’s still lots of potential to grow it further with plenty of space and opportunities to do more.
“It would suit a sort of owner/operator chef, who has got good ideas or somebody with garden centre experience or background – it would suit several types of people.
The couple, who have three children they say “have grown up with these businesses in their back garden,” are now looking to “wind down” and spend more time with family.
Marcel, who is originally from the Netherlands, and wife Frankie, who is Irish, told KentOnline: “After many years of running this fantastic business with its highly-talented team of staff, we are looking to find a new buyer who will continue to grow the business and continue to serve our lovely customers.”
The farm shop extended in 2023 with a new restaurant and had since switched to a café and restaurant focus.
The business includes a large customer car park, plant centre with an open and covered plant and garden centre sales area.
The site also has pre-approved planning permission to extend the kitchen and upgrade the polytunnels to a large greenhouse.
Reviews online suggested the business is well-regarded with one saying: “The setting is very tasteful and charming and though there were lots of tables we didn’t feel squashed in.”
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“Fabulous place, the food is amazing, and staff are so friendly,” another wrote.
The farm shop and restaurant, in Clapper Lane, went up for sale with Christie & Co.
It is understood all the current staff will transfer under the Transfer of Undertakings Protection of Employment rights (TUPE), which protects employees and their benefits when their employment changes hands.
Marcel said: “We made the extension to the restaurant about 18 months ago and that has been very successful but there’s more that can be done. I think it’s time for someone else to take over the reins.
“It’s purely with retirement in mind that we’ve decided to do what we’re doing.
“I want to give a lot of credit to my team and staff here, it’s a huge team effort and they are a very talented team.
