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About Canalside

A family farm, growing since 1983

Rooted in Staffordshire

Our story

Four decades, ground to table

We are a family run farm that has been growing its own produce for over 40 years.

It was back in 1983 that we bought this small holding in Great Haywood and planted our first strawberries that spring. From the beginning we have provided soft summer fruits, kitchen vegetables and garden plants directly to businesses across the region, and also to the local community from our Farm Shop - one of Staffordshire’s first!

We have continued to grow and develop our offering to customers over the years, and have since: extended our Farm Shop (twice!); built a new Café alongside the historic Trent & Mersey Canal; developed our Pick Your Own experience to include Halloween pumpkins; established a seasonal Plant Centre in our main glasshouse; and created a programme of inspirational, educational events for all the family to enjoy.

We think we have created something special at Canalside, but don’t take our word for it - come and see for yourself!

Picking strawberries at Canalside Farm

The people

Meet the team

A family at heart, with a passionate crew who keep the farm, shop and café growing.

How we got here

  1. 1983
    It started with strawberries

    We bought a small holding in Great Haywood and planted our first strawberries that spring.

  2. Then
    One of Staffordshire’s first

    Soft fruits, kitchen vegetables and garden plants, sold to the region and our local community.

  3. Since
    A Farm Shop - extended twice

    Our own-grown produce alongside a butchery, bakery and the best of Staffordshire.

  4. Later
    A Café by the canal

    Built alongside the historic Trent & Mersey Canal for brunch, cake and afternoon tea.

  5. Now
    Pick Your Own & pumpkins

    Our PYO experience grew to include autumn pumpkins and a seasonal Plant Centre.

  6. Today
    Events for all the family

    A programme of inspirational, educational and seasonal events to gather everyone in.

The team at Canalside Farm

Join us

Grow with Canalside

Job opportunities

We’re always looking for people who care about good food and a warm welcome. Current opening:

Farm Shop Assistant
Farm Shop

Farm Shop Assistant

Part time 3 days / week 8.30am - 5pm Inc. one weekend day

The Shop is an essential part of our retail proposition - it provides high quality food and gift products to our Farm Shop customers.

All our Colleagues engage with our customers and are required at all times to be friendly, professional, and knowledgeable to ensure the high level of customer service standards we ask for, as well as displaying the flexibility required to ensure a small but busy operation like ours continues to successfully operate.

  • Shelf stocking - To a high standard of presentation, and with care for the products.
  • Till operation - Quickly and accurately.
  • Attending to customer queries and requests - Answering incoming phone calls as well.
  • Food preparation - Within the guidelines of the HACCP Manual and to a high standard of presentation - scooping ice cream, for example.
  • Keeping it clean - Surfaces, floors, shelving and products.

Please send your CV and covering letter to recruitment@canalsidefarm.co.uk by Sunday 23rd August. To apply, email your CV to recruitment@canalsidefarm.co.uk.

Part Time Butcher
Butchery Team

Part Time Butcher

Part time 2-3 days / week 7.30am - 5pm Inc. one weekend day

This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced Butcher to be part of our growing Butchery Team in the Farm Shop.

The Butchery is an integral part of our retail proposition - it provides high quality, locally sourced meat and meal options to our Farm Shop customers, as well as supplying meat to our busy onsite Café & Delicatessen.

All our Butchers engage with our customers and are required to be professional, knowledgeable and friendly at all times to ensure the high level of customer service standards we demand are met. Our Butchers must also adhere to our strict food safety standards.

  • Customer interaction, and order fulfilment at the service-over counter - Exceptional customer service, knowledgeable customer interactions, completing bespoke customer requests, all whilst being quick & efficient.
  • Ensure the serve-over counter is stocked and visually appealing - At all times the counter must be full, appear abundant, with all the Head Butcher’s designated products, and must be visually appealing.
  • Meat production - Breaking down from carcass to ‘counter-ready’ and producing a range of cuts and meal ready options, all whilst minimising waste and finishing to the highest quality. Sausage making is required also.
  • Maintenance of food safety standards - Ensuring the production of meat is completed to the business’s high food safety standards, working within the established processes, and keeping the Butchery department clean, organised and well maintained.
  • Adhere to Health & Safety policies - At all times, and in accordance with company procedures and training, follow Health & Safety procedures, ensure your own safety and those with whom you are working, use equipment in a safe manner and report all issues to the Shop Manager.
  • Remaining current - Must be aware of industry trends and open to new ideas and initiatives.

If you are interested in applying for this position, please email your CV to recruitment@canalsidefarm.co.uk. Closing date for applications is Friday 7th August. Salary will be dependent on experience. To apply, email your CV to recruitment@canalsidefarm.co.uk.