IT’S all change over at Sheppy’s Cider as they prepare to get back to the heart of the community with a redevelopment.

It’s been a busy couple of years for the famous Somerset Cider brand, owned by David and Louisa Sheppy.

It is this year celebrating it’s bicentenary and plans are under way to make it a year to remember – including a planned music festival at the farm on September 3.

The old farm buildings, which previously housed the developing cider business over the last century, are undergoing a transformation.

Now they will be home to an extended shop, a cafe dining area and a restaurant with an upper gallery floor.

Louisa said: “The familiar old Wellington brick buildings are very atmospheric and have great potential to offer visitors a fascinating glimpse into the site’s history in farming and cider-making.

“The existing farm shop is going to be extended into the old cellar behind, and will include a cider-tasting counter within the old metalwork which supported storage tanks and vats.

“The plan is to keep everything we can of the internal features of the building, including tanks, metalwork and the beautiful old brick walls, to keep a sense of the industry and history as part of the visitor experience.”

The old press room will become a restaurant with an upper gallery floor.

The plan is to have events such as wassails and apple days and guided tours to celebrate the site’s history with the land.

Louisa added: “The development will take around a year to complete and we hope to bring a truly special Somerset experience to visitors.”

Sheppy’s tea room will be closed from April 3, and will reopen as soon as possible.