A family-run garden centre has undergone a £4m investment

One of the UK’s largest food halls is set to open in a garden centre in Harrogate, North Yorkshire this month. Crimple, overlooking the Crimple Valley just outside Harrogate town centre, has been owned by Graham Watson since 2013. With a personal investment of £4m, Graham has created a 20,000 sq ft food hall incorporating a 160-seat restaurant.

Crimple Food Hall will feature more than 50 specialist producers, offer a huge 12m-long butcher’s; a juice bar; bakery; patisserie; deli and cheese counter; fresh fruit and veg; milk float; food to go; in-store produced ready meals, pizzas, and fresh fish; horticulture shop; and a grain store

The striking design of the building references agricultural buildings through a series of interconnected barn-like forms, defined by the Crimple Valley location. The family-owned business also made sure the timber clad building had a highly sustainable agenda.

Graham says: “All the refrigeration equipment has been designed to maximise efficiency and has been fitted with a heat recovery system which produces 1275L of hot water per hour. This water provides all the hot water for the whole site. In addition, the engineering plant has been designed to balance the refrigeration requirements across the system resulting in further energy savings.”

The distinctive saw-tooth roof form allows for natural ventilation and also hosts PV panels to feedback power to the grid.  In addition, the actuated windows keep the temperature constant without wasting electric on heating and cooling.  

Graham adds: “Even the shopping bags are edible, although you may prefer to compost them. We’re giving away bags made from potatoes!”   

Set to open in November 2021, the new Crimple Food Hall and restaurant will create more than 60 jobs in the region.