AN award-winning guesthouse has been held up by the government as 'a shining example' of local businesses supporting local suppliers.
Jumbles Country Park Guest house in Bromley Cross was set up four years ago by Lesley and Colin Sobey, with the aid of a grant from the Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA).
The Sobeys bought the property, Grange Farm, after leaving their jobs as schools inspectors. A Rural Enterprise Scheme grant was awarded covered almost half of the costs to convert the building. Mrs Sobey bakes all her own breads, and makes a range of home made jams with fruit grown on the farm or from local suppliers.
The praise comes as DEFRA launches a campaign to encourage businesses to buy from local suppliers.
Graham Critchley, an adviser with DEFRAs Rural Development Service, said: "It is particularly rewarding when projects such as this one are not only extremely successful in themselves, but also actively seek to support other regional businesses."
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