Sponsored by
Craft centre is a journey in time for Allan
VISITORS to a new attraction on the outskirts of Scarborough can expect to be taken on a journey through time.
The Spittal Farm Craft Centre, near the Staxton roundabout on the A64, is the idea of retired property developer Allan Hunneybell.
The businessman used to own the Orchard Farm holiday park in Hunmanby and by the time he sold the site six years ago he had already developed the idea for his latest venture.
Mr Hunneybell, 62, said: “The craft centre is a cross between a museum and a market. We have recreated street scenes from centuries gone by and we want to attract people with traditional skills to take out leases in the individual premises we have built and run their businesses from here. We’re on the lookout for everyone from bakers to candlestick makers, weavers to painters.
“All the units have disabled access and so we would welcome interest from people who have disabilities who are thinking of setting up their own business.”
Mr Hunneybell says leases on a restaurant and tea room at the facility have already been organised and interest has been expressed in an ice cream parlour.
“I think people will be amazed at what they see when they come here. We’ve invested a great deal of money getting things just right. As people wander round the streets they will hear the sounds of workers going about their business hundreds of years ago. We’ve even got snow machines to help us recreate that Dickens type Christmas feeling,” he added.
The craft centre has 16 individual units and Mr Hunneybell says he is in the process of interviewing prospective lease holders.
“By offering people long leases it gives them more of an incentive to build up their business,” he said. “I want be able to create a community of people who want to work together for the benefit of others as well as themselves.
“My reward will be seeing my labours completed and the whole operation up and running.”
Mr Hunneybell says he expects the Spittal Farm Craft Centre to be open by May.
l To see a video of the attraction visit www.scarborougheveningnews.co.uk
Email to a friend
Print this page
Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Jobs
Search for a job
Motors
Search for a car
Property
Search for a house
Weather for Scarborough
Saturday 26 May 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 10 C to 15 C
Wind Speed: 17 mph
Wind direction: North east
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: 9 C to 16 C
Wind Speed: 14 mph
Wind direction: North east
