A FARM SHOP GROWN FROM LOCAL FARMING HISTORY
The Bulbeck family have been farming in the area for several generations; our roots as a family business were humble and grew from the produce that the local farmland had to offer, whether it be dairy farming, livestock farming, or arable farming.
Southbourne Farm Shop was established in 1982 by Chris and Marjorie Bulbeck. Initially the farm stocked only a small range of local vegetables, with transactions made using traditional mechanical weighing scales and a notepad and pen. From these humble beginnings, the shop has grown over the years, and the range has increased significantly. We now have hundreds of different suppliers, many of them based locally. The shop is now run between Chris and Marjorie's children Jason, Lisa and Ben.
In 2014 we opened our in-store bakery, Farmshop Bakehouse. Lisa's husband Phil is our resident baker, creating handmade artisan bread to sell exclusively in our shop every week.
In 2020, in response to the Covid-19 pandemic, we launched a Home Delivery Service for the elderly and vulnerable. This ran for nearly two years, and during the various lockdowns we delivered around 4000 orders. This ensured that our customers could continue to receive the quality service and products to which they had become accustomed. Although we no longer operate a delivery service, we have found that since the pandemic, a lot more people are shopping locally, and having more awareness of supporting local producers.
The recent years have seen an increased sense of urgency worldwide in reducing packaging waste and improving our natural environment, and this is reflected in the arrival of our Zero Waste Refill Station in 2021. We have since the refill products steadily increase in sales over time, and we have ensured that the refill prices are cheaper than picking up the same products prepacked. Customers who try our refill station love it!
2023 saw the arrival of the new on-site coffee trailer, Our Little Place, serving hot and cold drinks, and delicious snacks including hot soup, paninis and tempting cakes. Bulbeck Blooms, our on-site florist, opened in 2024, run by Chris and Marjorie Bulbecks' eldest son, Simon. The florist shop has a selection of beautiful flowers and homeware gifts, and can also cater for flower bouquets for special occasions.
The Farm Shop has steadily grown over the years to become the shop you see today, a fantastic destination supporting the local community and passing visitors on the A259 Main Road between Emsworth and Chichester. One thing remains constant across the decades: a commitment to provide quality, fresh produce to our valued customers. Thank you for supporting our family business!
