A FARMER has detailed his plans to transform a former Winchester café.

As previously reported, Westlands Farm Shop has submitted a planning application to Winchester City Council to carry out work to turn Patisserie Valerie, in the High Street, into a farm shop.

The application details both internal and external work that owner Graham Collett is hoping to get approval for before the shop can open. This includes the removal of several walls and the installation of new flooring, as well as changing the signage of the shop and adding a new awning and window vinyls.

Graham said: “Our decision to expand into Winchester is driven by the overwhelming support and demand we’ve received from our customers in Wickham.

Graham CollettGraham Collett (Image: Westlands Farm Shop)

READ MORE: Plans revealed for closed cafe in city centre to become a farm shop

“We’ve seen a growing interest in high-quality, locally sourced food, and we believe the people of Winchester will appreciate the freshness and authenticity that Westlands Farm Shop brings.

“If our plans are approved, we’ll be the only independent butchery on Winchester’s high street. People we have spoken to say Winchester has been crying out for an independent butcher in the city centre again and that is what we will be bringing.

“Our plans are in their infancy at the moment but we hope to be open in November - well in time for the Christmas rush of people looking for the freshest locally-sourced meats and foods for their Christmas.

“Our goal is to provide a shopping experience that not only offers fantastic products but also brings people closer to the local farming community.”