The history of Becketts Farm is, first and foremost, the history of the Beckett family farms. This now iconic family business near Birmingham was started in 1937 by Albert Beckett. He came from Shropshire and started dairy farming. Later, in 1960, his son Alan turned the business into one of the largest egg producers in the United Kingdom. It was Alan Beckett who opened the first farm shop in 1980, and Albert’s grandson, Simon, continued to diversify the business in the 1990s by expanding the shop and restaurant and leasing out property.
He made the farm a pillar of the community and the main employer in the Wythall area, while maintaining a strong connection to his farming roots. For more information about this successful family business and its approach to environmental conservation, visit birminghamname.com.
History of foundation
Becketts Farm is a family farm located in Wythall, south of Birmingham, a 25-minute drive from the city. Today, the farm is known as a unique place that combines agriculture, food retail, restaurant business and various public events. The farm is located in the West Midlands and over several decades has become more than just an agricultural enterprise.
The history of Becketts Farm begins in 1937. At that time, the future founder of the farm, Albert Edward Beckett, left Shropshire to settle in Wythall and run a small farm there, which the young man had leased. In the beginning, he was mainly involved in dairy farming, milking cows by hand and working the land with horses.
In the following years, the farm became a family business, employing several generations of Becketts. After his father, his son Alan Beckett took over the management of the farm. In the 1960s, he decided to significantly expand the range of products, transforming the farm from a dairy farm to an intensive egg production facility and making Becketts Farm one of the four largest egg producers in the United Kingdom.
It was Alan who opened the first branded farm shop and bakery in 1980, marking the beginning of the farm’s direct involvement in retail and the sale of its own products. In the 1990s, the next, third generation, led by Simon Beckett, continued the diversification process, developing retail, hospitality, and property rental businesses.
The farm invested in visitor facilities, a significant expansion of the shop and restaurant, and the creation of commercial properties on land previously used for agriculture.
Місія та цінності
As a result, Becketts Farm’s renewed mission has been clearly defined. It consists of bringing food production closer to the local population by offering fresh, high-quality food directly from the farm and other local producers. The farm has confirmed its commitment to the local community not only through agriculture, but also through its support of local and charitable organisations, sports clubs, and more.
One of the key aspects of this mission was to create a friendly meeting place for farmers, local residents and visitors. Thus, Becketts Farm was gradually transformed into a place that is simultaneously a commercial, educational and social centre.
Main products and working conditions
Today, Becketts Farm is best known for its farm shop, which offers a wide range of fresh produce, including handmade bread, cakes, local meat, sausages, dairy products, fruit, and vegetables. These are carefully selected from producers in the West Midlands and surrounding areas. Becketts Farm has become one of the leaders in the food industry, not just in words but in deeds. All this has been achieved thanks to:
- a bakery on the farm, which bakes fresh bread and pastries every day;
- a butcher’s shop selling quality meat from trusted suppliers;
- a restaurant and café serving traditional British dishes with a modern twist, made with fresh local ingredients. The restaurant is famous for its hearty brunches, home-cooked meals and Sunday gatherings;
- family and seasonal events, such as Easter celebrations, Halloween events, Christmas celebrations, and various summer activities.
All this variety of products and activities makes Becketts Farm not only a place where you can buy high-quality and organic products, but also an area for family walks and culinary experiences.
Continuing the theme of the company’s impact on the local community, it should be noted that Becketts Farm is one of the largest employers in Wythall and the surrounding area. Over a hundred people work in various positions, from sales and restaurant service to production and event organisation.
The farm has received several awards, including “Family Business of the Year,” as well as various awards for the quality of its services and products. In addition, the farm pays considerable attention to staff training, service quality and employee satisfaction, which is achieved by providing opportunities for career growth within the company. This is clearly demonstrated by the development of local managers in recent years.
In terms of visitors, Becketts Farm attracts a diverse audience, from local residents and their families to foodies and tourists from the region. Visitors appreciate the quality of the products, the friendly atmosphere of the shop and restaurant, and seasonal attractions such as sunflower fields, which are open to visitors in the summer for walks and charity events.
These fields offer regulars the opportunity to relax in the fresh air and raise funds for social causes to benefit children’s charities and other local charities. Becketts Farm is often cited as a model of successful agricultural diversification, combining food production, tourism, and community activities.
Environmental responsibility
Becketts Farm demonstrates consistent care for the environment and the local ecosystem. One specific aspect of its work in this area is waste management and recycling. All packaging materials are recycled on site, and the farm encourages shop customers to reuse their bags to reduce the use of disposable plastic bags.
A small contribution of 5 pence per plastic bag is used to support local initiatives and environmental projects. In addition, the oil used in the restaurant is recycled through a special programme that converts it into renewable energy or biofuel, thereby reducing waste.
In terms of agriculture, the farm grows rows of wildflowers along the edges of its fields, with a total length of 8 miles — with bumblebees, poppies, daisies and sunflowers, which promotes pollination by bees and other insects that are essential to the health of the ecosystem. Farmers also plant hedgerows and woodlands, creating habitats for local wildlife and improving biodiversity around their main crops.
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