The whole Craigies team are very excited about the refurbishment of our café & restaurant area. Our café has received a complete makeover – providing customers with a beautiful, modern space to sit back, enjoy our delicious farm-fresh food and admire the beautiful views over the landscape. 

Tim Wickens and the team at Arrange have headed up the new fit-out, and we’re delighted to have worked with them to re-imagine our café. Having worked with clients including Garsons and Squires Garden Centres, the Arrange team are experts at designing unique, high-quality hospitality spaces. 

We sat down with Tim to find out more about the inspiration behind the new look… 

Staying true to Craigies roots 

“We wanted the design to work in harmony with the farm shop, creating a consistent, colourful and organic look. A space was needed that reflected the high-quality of the produce on offer in the café and wider farm. 

“Tasteful rustic elements, such as barn doors and sliding window shutters, were incorporated. Normally associated with agricultural buildings, these features contrast nicely against bright and sophisticated fabrics. 

“The main objective was to connect the café with the farm and its provenance to create a warm, attractive atmosphere. We reduced the light levels by using darker colours and adding lamp fittings that project warm, atmospheric lighting.   

“We want customers to feel they are in a stylish space that is also homely and welcoming. Cosy corners were built in, and division screens used to create individual seating with added privacy. Soft wall panelling was specifically designed to lower noise levels whilst adding to the organic feel of the space.” 

A flowing design  

“To make the restaurant work in unison with an additional room that was previously a meeting space, the wall was replaced with two large sliding glazed doors with attractive reeded glass. When the doors are opened the two rooms work in unison with one other, creating a larger-capacity restaurant. 

“The additional room has had its own specific ceiling rafts made of corrugated tin and rusty steel to create a rustic, homely feel in the once corporate space. 

“The new restaurant will connect the farm with the restaurant, and the restaurant with the fantastic view.” 

Bespoke elements 

“We are particularly excited to work with Craigies as they are a high-profile farm shop in an amazing location. Our skillset matched perfectly to the farm’s needs so it was a real win. 

“As manufacturers, we are able to take a direct reading of the client’s specific requirements and manufacture exactly what’s right for the job, rather than what you could just buy off-the-shelf. 

“This ability enabled us to take an in-depth look at how to make the restaurant work better and create exactly what was needed to do it. 

“It was a real pleasure working with John and the fantastic team that runs the restaurant.” 
 

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Craigies Farm is open 7 days a week – make the most of your visit and drop into Craigies Café, bring the little ones along to Little Farmers, or click & collect your online shop order.