A FARM shop and animal feeds business has moved location to ensure they can continue trading after planning issues were raised.

In March this year it was revealed that the shop at Riverside Farm, Pool Road, Otley, had been built and opened in May 2021 without the necessary planning permissions from Leeds City Council.

And road safety concerns raised by planning officers meant that the retrospective planning permission sought for the shop might be refused.

Now, Riverside Animal Supplies, after working with council officers, have relocated the shop into an existing building which the owners says meets planning criteria - and is proving a hit with customers.

Stephanie Asquith of Riverside Animal Supplies, said: “The Asquith’s farm cattle and sheep and have a wealth of knowledge so opened an Animal Feed Shop, however, the initial planning application raised a few issues so moved the shop from its original position on the farm to a new one. It is now located just inside the main entrance to the farm, the car park and shop currently have the cows for neighbours as they have come inside for the winter.

“It transpires that old customers think the new location is much better and new customers are thrilled to see the cows and like the authenticity of an animal feed shop actually surrounded by animals, even the farm cat pops in for a visit.”

The shop is run by Steph who has 20 years experience in the animal feed industry and a lot of produce supplied is directly from the farm, with the hay and haylage made during the summer months and logs nets produced during the winter.

The family have been in the farming industry for over 50 years and are acutely aware of how precious time is, so with that in mind they stock large animal food for cattle and sheep giving local farmers and small holders the opportunity to shop local and avoiding the need to travel longer more time consuming distances.

Steph and her sister both have horses so can help with any amount of ailments, problems or advice with a huge range of horse food and bedding of all kinds.

Steph said: “Riverside hasn’t forgotten the smaller friends, a range of own brand dog food has been launched to provide good nutritional food. We have hen, cat, rabbit, guinea pig, fish food the list is endless, needless to say if it isn’t in stock we will do our best to get it.

“Due to the move there is now more space for other things, even Christmas trees and wreaths.”