Cornwall Farmers has cut the ribbon to its second Patch & Acre Country Store, in Launceston.

David Shadrick, store manager of Cornwall Farmers’ new Patch & Acre store, led the official opening ceremony with Councillor David Gordon, Mayor of Launceston and Claire Butter, Chair of Launceston Young Farmers Club.

The day included music from Launceston and Saltash town band, with tea and cake served to Cornwall Farmers’ customers and guests.

Speaking after the launch, Councillor David Gordon said: “Today has emphasised how much our community champions the countryside and supports investment in the agricultural sector.”

Patch & Acre covers every area of country living, with six distinct trading zones: The Farm, Country Life, the Stable, the Garden, Pet Life and the Farmhouse. The store is also now open seven days a week with extended opening hours of 8am to 6pm Monday to Saturday and 10am to 4pm on Sundays.

Claire Butter said: “It’s exciting to see Cornwall Farmers build on its 93 year heritage, making farming more accessible to future generations. I wish Cornwall Farmers and Patch & Acre the best of luck.”

David Shadrick commented, “I’ve been at this store for more than 14 years and it’s fantastic to see the transformation. We still have farming and agriculture very much at the heart of our business but now we can offer people so much more, from an extensive range of garden machinery and great clothing brands like Joules, Jack Murphy and Hunter, to everything equine and all you need for pets and the home.”

The event saw the farmer-owned co-operative continue its free-to-attend equine roadshow, offering customers advice on everything equine, from horse nutrition and well-being, to safety and riding essentials.

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.

Simon Birch, chief executive of Cornwall Farmers, said: “Since the first Patch & Acre opening, we have extended the product and service offerings across our network of Cornwall and Devon stores.

“The business is now looking ahead to the transformation of our Tavistock branch, which will be unveiled next month.”

The investment is being supported with £920,000 from the Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Local Enterprise Partnership’s Business Catalyst Fund, which helps 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.