PLANS have been lodged for a farm shop building on Mull which presents a “unique opportunity” to grow the premises.
Benmore Estate Ltd has submitted the proposal to Argyll and Bute Council for land southwest of Glenforsa Café and Farm Shop.
The café and farm shop opened in 2024 and is reported to have enjoyed a “very successful” start to life, proving popular with locals and tourists.
Council officials are expected to rule on the application for planning permission by mid-June, with the public able to view plans and submit feedback.
A design statement by Harry Taylor and Company said: “The applicants wish to address feedback from visitors related to the limited nature of the farm shop offering.
“Currently there is only a small area available within the building to display the range of produce expected by visitors without impacting on the number of covers which has made the café so successful.
“Therefore, a new space more dedicated to the farm shop element of the venture is required to allow an increased range of produce and the incorporation of items from more local businesses.
“Consideration was given to an extension of the existing building but there was concern that the scale of the building would become too bulky and restrict views across the site towards the Sound of Mull.
“The decision was therefore taken to design a new purpose-built building to house the farm shop business. Having the farm shop and café in separate buildings will allow greater flexibility in the management of the site and the businesses.”
The statement added: “To complement the existing building, the farm shop has been designed to be smaller in scale but be easily read as the younger sibling of the original.
“This project presents a unique opportunity to expand the offering at Glenforsa Farm Shop and Café and build upon its early success.
“This additional space will allow it to not only secure the direct employment benefits of the business, but also to better promote the wide-ranging produce created by the island’s talented farmers and artisans.”
