REDDITCH MP Karen Lumley recently visited the Stables Farm Shop in Astwood Bank.

The MP’s visit was part of a week-long tour of local businesses.

“The aim of the business week tour was to visit important local companies to learn more about their work and see what I, or the Government, can do to help them," she said.

"I’m keen to support business in Redditch wherever I can."

Mrs Lumley was given a tour of the diverse rural enterprises at the Stables which includes a farm shop, cafe, farm park and 120 acres of agricultural land producing beef and lamb for the shop.

Back in 2007 the site consisted of just a redundant stable block and an area of intensively farmed arable land with only one part time employee.

Manager at the Stables, Rob Waitt, showed the MP how over the last seven years the farm’s owners have diversified the business and grown it into a thriving rural enterprise employing more than local people.

MrsLumley said: “I was hugely impressed with what has been achieved at the Stables farm shop. It’s pleasing to see a farm business close to Redditch start new enterprises, create jobs for local people and provide an outlet for locally produced food.”

Mr Waitt said: “We welcomed the opportunity to show our MP around the farm, cafe and shop and show her that we are an important local employer and resource for the local community."