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The owners of local farm have received an outpouring of public support on their planning application to extend their opening hours.
Jon and Jenny Hackett, who own Brooklands Farm in St. Brelade, are applying to extend their approved opening times in order to "provide full time employment for two people as well as cater for customers' request for more opening hours".
Brooklands Farm's pigs, poultry and shop along Route des Genets is a familiar part of the St. Brelade landscape, offering a variety of Genuine Jersey products which are hand made in-house in a purpose-built butchery and commercial kitchen.
However, planning restrictions on the opening hours mean that the farm shop is currently closed on Mondays, closes at 14:00 on the remaining weekdays, and 16:00 on Saturday.
However, if approved, the planning application would allow the farm shop to stay open until 17:00 Monday - Saturday.
The Sunday hours (10:00-14:00) would remain unchanged.
The planning application has received over 40 public comments, many of which laud the convenience of having the shop open later for those who work office hours.
One islander said: "It is businesses like this that make the island special and they should be encouraged. Current opening hours are restrictive and allowing them to open within most normal business parameters after having proved they have a viable business would be sensible."
Another added that they "support this change in opening hours as this farm shop provides genuine Jersey produce and this will allow us to have the option to visit the shop at more convenient times, due to work commitments".
Other public comments praise the "local" element of the farm shop, with one islander explaining: "This island needs to support our local farmers or we risk losing them altogether... This farm shop brings people the best quality of local produce and it should be as easily available as the imported poorer quality food that somehow is available at all hours. Please allow them the opportunity to compete fairly and increase the opening hours for the benefit of all islanders and the local economy."
Brooklands Farm owner Jon Hackett's daughter recently raised raised more than £10,000 for charity after completing her first half-marathon following her father's stroke in November.
Kate Hackett crossed the line of the Hospice 2 Hospice race in March after 2 hours 20 mins of running.
In doing so, she raised money for Jersey Stroke Support – a local charity which helps stroke survivors and their families.
Pictured top: Brooklands Farm owner Jon Hackett photographed in August 2020. (Rob Currie)
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