Ever since the calendar ticked over to September 15, marking 100 days to go, I have been on Christmas countdown – squirrelling away gifts, eyeing up decorations, even listening to festive tunes in the car.
So imagine my excitement when this column led me to a behind-the-scenes sneak peek of one of the best-decorated greenhouses in the county – a winter wonderland, if you will. I’m surrounded by decked out trees, garlands, chiming bells and everywhere smells of the winter spice scent I love so much. This is the Greenhouse at Hollies Farm Shop in Little Budworth and I’m with store manager Chris Darlington.
‘We’ve got a very good visual merchandising team… when everything arrives on pallets I look at it and I just see a load of boxes, but they seem to pull it out of the bag,’ he says.
Every year this space is transformed into a festive treat for the senses, drawing in the crowds. ‘It’s so nice to see people coming from near and far, Chris tells me, ‘because you’ve got that food connection with Christmas that makes it really special.’
Let’s not forget this space started life as a farm shop. The Cowap family – who still grow the vegetables sold in the shop – launched the Hollies enterprise in 1959, by offering their produce on the markets in Runcorn.
Excess produce was displayed at the side of road with an honesty box – what led to the first proper shop is that the honesty box was stolen. The business, now run by a third generation of Cowaps, has grown and grown since then; in fact, there are now several Hollies sites, including the original store in Little Budworth, a shop in Lower Stretton, Hollies on the High Street in Tarporley and as I’m leaving I spot a sign advertising Hollies Retreats, with one in Barbados. (Note to the editor – any chance we can cover that one?)
This is diversification in farming that’s really working. ‘People look at it now and say “Oh my goodness, the Hollies is massive!” It’s not just happened overnight. We think about everything we do. We put our heart and soul into it and it shows,’ Chris says.
A stroll around the Hollies site at Little Budworth shows it’s not just the greenhouse that’s getting festive, there are tables full of tasty Christmas treats everywhere, from elegant biscuit tins to a selection of gifts.
‘To me, Christmas means more food,’ says Chris. ‘A lot of our gifting is food gifting. That’s what makes us a bit special at Christmas – whether people just come for a treat or whether they shop here all the time.’
It takes months in the planning too, much of the stock was chosen back in January, with food orders placed over the summer, which Chris describes as “a bit of a rollercoaster”.
What’s also important to the team here is supporting local producers. You’ll find some of the best Cheshire produce on the shelves. The Hollies now has its own gin, made with a local distiller, and there are the Hollies’ own Christmas puddings, which Chris says are a must-have for any December 25 dinner. There’s also the chance to make up a bespoke hamper with treats from around the shop.
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It’s a weekday when I visit and the car park is full. Recently celebrity coverage on social media of the Hollies has brought extra visitors through the doors – influencer Molly-Mae Hague is a big fan. But this farm shop’s reputation isn’t a new thing. There are plans afoot for another expansion next year – a new bakery is on the way.
‘We want to produce more ourselves. We’ve got some very good staff who make cakes and sweet stuff in-house and they need more space,’ Chris tells me.
But the building work will have to wait; it’s all hands on deck for now as Christmas takes centre stage.
Chris recognises December is a little different. ‘Some customers come here once a year just for Christmas. This is a very special time of year for us,’ he says.
YOUR HOLLIES TROLLEY
Chris Darlington recommends:
Our Christmas puddings are amazing.
Our own gin – Delamere Gin.
There would have to be some cheese in there – maybe two types, definitely a Cheshire.
Stanways pork pies. The Cartwright and Butler range of teatime treats. They’re really nice products with a high butter content – a real treat for Christmas.
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