Families say it's 'a sad loss'

A much-loved pick your own fruit farm in Cheshire has closed down for good after 17 years. Poynton Fruit Farm has long been a popular place for families to visit and fill tubs with strawberries, raspberries, gooseberries and more.

Entry was free and visitors would pay for a punnet or basket of the fruit they picked from the site, in Coppice Road, Poynton. But now the place is shutting for good, with the business telling customers via a Facebook post: "Decision has been made, we are permanently closing the fruit farm. Thank you for all your custom over the last 17 yrs."

Hundreds of people have reacted to the post, which has attracted dozens of comments from customers sharing their sadness over the closure, which one described as 'the end of an iconic era'. "So sad. Such wonderful family memories at the fruit farm," said one.

Coppice Road Poynton

"So sorry to read this," said another. "Thank you for all the lovely fruit picking memories we made." A third commented: "This is so sad to hear, I'm so sorry. We had some absolutely brilliant days up there - thank you so much for being a part of my childhood."

The fruit picking didn't run at the farm last year, telling customers: "I am being asked if we'll be opening this year, unfortunately we will not. Although the sunshine was lovely, our strawberry field plants did not agree and at least half of the raspberry plants did not survive the winter. We will re-group and try again next year."

But sadly that's not been the case and the website for the business has now been taken down, reports the MEN. Another former customer of the farm said: "I'm sorry to hear this, had some great memories visiting with my kids. Thank you for providing such a lovely experience for the community. Wishing you every success for your future endeavours."

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Farm owner Glenn Kay said the fruit farm had been 'a hobby' but other interests have taken its place. He said: "We'd like to thank all our visitors for making it an enjoyable hobby, it was fun."

Decision has been made, we are permanently closing the fruit farm. Thank you for all your custom over the last 17 yrs.

The wider picture

Wild and seasonal foods reward anyone who buys little and often, since the difference between a good week and a great one is usually measured in days.

The short version

  • A much-loved pick your own fruit farm in Cheshire has closed down for good after 17 years
  • Entry was free and visitors would pay for a punnet or basket of the fruit they picked from the site, in Coppice Road, Poynton
  • Hundreds of people have reacted to the post
  • The fruit picking didn't run at the farm last year, telling customers: "I am being asked if we'll be opening this year, unfortunately we will not
  • Sadly that's not been the case and the website for the business has now been taken down, reports the MEN

The bottom line

The details will firm up over the coming months. What is already clear is that this is unlikely to be the last we hear of it.