A BRADFORD farm shop that has been in a family for three generations won the Team of the Year accolade at the 2022 Telegraph & Argus Retail, Leisure and Hospitality awards on Sunday night.
Robertshaw’s Farm Shop, based at Thornton, won the Team of the Year award, sponsored by Bradford BID.
“It means a lot to win this award,” said Nigel Auty, produce and garden centre manager at Robertshaw’s Farm Shop.
“We’re a family business and it’s been in the family for three generations.
“Customer service is our number one priority.
“We have a superbly loyal team. They’re absolutely great.
“They do whatever it takes to get the job done.”
In the criteria for the award, judges were looking for businesses who know that teamwork is what makes any business a success.
Judges were looking specifically at how, as a group, businesses achieve the goals needed to run a successful retail, leisure or hospitality business in the district.
The Robertshaw’s story began in 1929 when grandad Harry Robertshaw opened a butchers’ shop in Halifax. Growing up, his son Andrew Robertshaw was always at the shop helping.
In the mid 1960s, he moved to Thornton and began selling potatoes and vegetables at the side of the road. In 1974, he opened The Farm Shop.
The current owner James Robertshaw grew up in the shop, and as soon as he was old enough, he would be working and helping customers.
In 1987, he put a butchers’ counter in the shop, with the help of his grandad and Uncle David who is also a butcher.
After Andrew died in 2000, leaving James to take over the responsibility of the family business.
Built on a working sheep farm, the shop has been producing and selling fresh food for over 40 years.
The shop has developed over the years as it has added and extended the old tractor sheds which is where the shop now stands.
Robertshaw’s works closely with more than 400 local Yorkshire farmers, growers, producers and suppliers to ensure that its customers have access to the highest quality produce, whilst upholding high standards of freshness, flavour and traceability.
The business is committed to supporting the surrounding farming community, reducing the need for excessive ‘food miles’ and championing livestock wellbeing.
In 2012, the name was changed to Keelham Farm Shop.
In 2019, it became Robertshaw’s Farm Shop.
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