The Little Farm Shop, a business launched in memory of a market gardener's late mother, has opened a second location at Brimstage Courtyard after just two years. The venture began when Gerrard Lloyd chose to honour the lifelong dream of his mum, Helen Lloyd, of opening a vegetable shop for the community.
With the help of his dad, Gerrard started farming on the Leverhulme estate and began selling from the yard in 2025. In the early days, the family went door to door selling vegetables and produce before finding a dedicated community on social media that followed their every move.
From door-to-door sales to sold-out boxes
Interest in what became officially known as The Little Farm Shop began to grow, and word-of-mouth orders saw boxes selling out. Gerrard told the ECHO: "We didn't really know what to expect in the beginning.
"I worked at Harding Estate in North Wales as a market gardener in the forestry team, and I was self-employed. My dad and I approached the Leverhulme estate to see if we could do the growing in Brimstage."
He added: "We had a few little bulb pens to refurbish, including one at the little shop, and the community really took it up. It was quite slow but as people started to hear about us we got progressively busier."
Community support and growing popularity
The shop quickly built a strong following on Instagram, which Gerrard credits for much of its popularity. He said: "People have been really supportive online. They like to see what we're up to and it's nice to stay in touch in a more personal way."
The farm shop's stock list of fresh produce expanded until it became a full operation delivering everything from tomatoes and beetroots to beans and salads, and much more.
"She'd be in her element"
Although still in its infancy, Gerrard believes everything he and his dad have achieved would make his mum incredibly proud if she could see it today. He added: "I think she'd be speechless, but equally stressed with everything happening so quickly. She'd be in her element.
"She was a social worker, and the community was everything to her. She wanted to provide good, wholesome food, so I think she would've loved this."
Now, The Little Farm Shop has opened another location in Brimstage Courtyard to bring its acclaimed fresh fruit and vegetable produce to the masses. Gerrard added: "The shop is the beginning of the future for the farm. Now that we have the front of house, the farm will develop from here." The Little Farm Shop's second site opened in Brimstage Courtyard to a sold-out weekend.
