Bowland Food Hall is open

The Bowland Food Hall opened its doors last week (Thursday July 6) welcoming a stream of customers eager to explore the new food and drink retail concept in the heart of the Ribble Valley.

The food hall, the latest phase in the £10m redevelopment of Clitheroe’s Holmes Mill, offers customers a showcase of the best produce from Bowland, Lancashire and beyond with opportunities to browse, taste and be inspired by a shopping experience.

Said Alison Ashworth, food hall buyer: “A visit to the Bowland Food Hall is an experience for the senses to make the taste buds tingle.

“The food hall is truly the larder of Bowland. We’ve spent months seeking out the best produce available on our doorstep and our ethos is to support the local, the artisan, the craftsman and the specialist.”

Bowland Food Hall prides itself on offering customers what they want rather than what they need with no click and collect, no buy-one-get-one-free, and not a self-scan till in sight. Refreshments from tapas and wine to coffee and juices are available throughout the hall.

More than 50 local suppliers are signed up to the new outlet, many of them award winning, with more to come. All share the James’ Places passion for excellence and top quality produce.

Producers include Leagram Cheese, Gazegill Organics and Roy Porter Butchers, of Chatburn. Rapeseed oil from Wignall’s will be on sale alongside Bowland Eggs, smoked trout from the Bowland Smokehouse and raw, organic bars from Gisburn’s Mr Yeti.

The shelves are groaning with handmade chocolates, fudge, breads, cakes, chutneys, preserves, soups, salads, sandwiches, smoothies and desserts. Meat, fish and cheese counters offer a wide choice along with imaginatively displayed fresh fruit, vegetables, wines and spirits.

Opening in just a few weeks will be the food hall’s Demo Kitchen where customers can enjoy and learn how to make all kinds of dishes, all with 100% of ingredients sourced from the Food Hall.

Bowland Food Hall is open 8am – 6pm Sunday – Wednesday and 8am – 8pm Thursday – Saturday.

Other must-visits at Holmes Mill are the Beer Hall, which houses what is believed to be one of the longest bars in Britain, and its function room, gelateria and shop. A 39 bedroom apart-hotel and bistro is due to open in early Autumn.

James’ Places portfolio includes Holmes Mill, The Emporium, Clitheroe, Waddington Arms in Waddington, Mitton Hall at Mitton, The Royal Hotel at Kirkby Lonsdale, Eaves Hall, West Bradford, Shireburn Arms at Hurst Green, Falcon Manor, Settle and the Bowland Brewery. All share the same service values and ethos for beautiful surroundings with exceptional food and drink.