Cornwall Farmers’ new-look Patch & Acre Country Store at Launceston will be unveiled on Saturday, April 12, 2014.

Claire Butter, Chair of Launceston Young Farmers Club, and Councillor David Gordon, Mayor of Launceston, will lead a ribbon cutting ceremony at 10.30am, with Launceston and Saltash Town Band performing a selection of crowd pleasing favourites as proceedings get underway.

Claire said, “I am delighted to join Cornwall Farmers and its customers as the business opens its second Patch & Acre store.

“It is wonderful to see a local business listening to the farming community and taking proactive steps to support those who live and work in the countryside.”

Councillor David Gordon added, “It is fantastic to see Cornwall Farmers investing in its business and particularly here in Launceston.

“I am confident the community will welcome the transformed store and support Cornwall Farmers and Patch & Acre as it continues to build on its success.”

The launch event will also see Cornwall Farmers continue its free-to-attend equine roadshow, which offers advice on everything equine, from horse nutrition and well-being to safety and riding essentials.

And as part of a ‘Hat and Body Protector Amnesty’, customers are invited to trade in their used hats and body protectors and receive an exclusive 20% discount off new ones.

Simon Birch, chief executive of Cornwall Farmers, continued: “Patch & Acre is about bringing authentic products and expert services to a broader audience while still providing great products and service to our farmer customers.

“The store will have an improved layout, exciting new product ranges and a dedicated farm services desk to meet the agricultural needs of our customers.”

Launched in December 2013, Patch & Acre is the new country store from Cornwall Farmers and is part of a £2.3 million investment by the farmer-owned co-operative to grow the business, appeal to a wider customer base and invest in new IT systems and staff training.

The investment is being supported with £920,000 from the Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Local Enterprise Partnership’s Business Catalyst Fund, which exists to help eligible businesses improve productivity and create jobs and is funded by the Government’s Regional Growth Fund.

Cornwall Farmers employs around 200 staff and has the biggest network of country stores in Cornwall and Devon with outlets in Penzance, Helston, Truro, Wadebridge, Liskeard, Otterham, Launceston, Tavistock, Hatherleigh, Bideford, Kingsbridge and Dartington.

The next Patch & Acre store will be launched at Tavistock in May.