Southbourne Farm Shop was established by Chris Bulbeck during June 1982, when it began as a small shop selling a selection of fruit and vegetables.

The Bulbeck family have been farmers in the Southbourne area since 1910, when Alfred Bulbeck (Chris' grandfather) had a herd of milking cows in the area of Manor Road that has now become housing. The cow pen was in a converted RAF hanger dating from the First World War.

The milk from the cows was delivered by horse-drawn cart three times a day to the residents of Southbourne, who would leave an empty jug on their doorsteps to be filled.

Alfred Bulbeck had four sons, all of which had farms in the area of Southbourne from 1940 onwards. The farms produced vegetables, pork, eggs, and milk.

During the great storm of October 1987, part of the roof of the farm shop was ripped away, and ended up in the Travellers Joy pub car park, on the other side of the road. Thankfully the building remained intact and repairs were soon made. The sign that you see in Photo 1 was also blown away in the storm!

From its humble beginnings in 1982, the farm shop continues to grow. The building stands in ten acres of ground, where we have some cattle and horses (which you are welcome to visit!). During the summer months, we produce bales of hay, which we sell in the farm shop, along with straw.

In October 2006, nearly 25 years after the shop first opened its doors, Southbourne Farm Shop launched its own website, which you are looking at now! We are still a friendly, family-run business, and plan to continue to provide quality fresh produce for years to come.