O OPPORTUNITIES AT MAXIMISING RTON GRANGE


Diversification comes in all shapes and sizes at Orton Grange, from wind turbines to embryos. Katie Davidson reports


high level of passing traffic and the chance to make better use of redundant buildings led Richard Martin to consider diversifying his farm business 10 years ago and since then he hasn’t looked back. Working in partnership with his sister, Claire, the pair have developed a thriving business complex since expanding the original farm shop to include a swimming pool, hair dressers, beauticians, cafe, gift shop and food hall. However, diversification doesn’t stop there and Richard also has two partnerships in embryos and two wind turbines on the farm. Situated on the side of the A595, one of the busiest roads in Cumbria, business is booming, although Richard is the first to admit he may have been financially better off doubling his cows in the short term.


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I am now looking into ways of retailing electricity to local farmers who are unable to use natural sources to produce energy - but at the moment it is looking even more complicated than milk retailing


34 THE JOURNAL OCTOBER 2014 ’


“The farm has carried the complex for 10 years with money spent on renovations and expansions that could have been spent on the farm. I’m not directly involved with any of the business on the complex, as they all rent space, but I take an active interest in the success of the business.” Commenting on the progression of the business, Richard says that the initial idea came from a discussion with his brother in law who has his own aggregate business and was looking to relocate. After many discussions and planning, it was decided it wasn’t going to work with too many lorries coming in to the farm.


“This planted a seed in my mind that there was potential for the farm. With plenty of passing traffic, and, therefore, potential customers, a use could be


IMAGES BY Richard Hodgson Photography


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