Mackenzies Farm Shop and Café has re-opened under new ownership.

David Suttill, from Harrogate, and Aissa Guessis, from Bradford, took over the Blubberhouses company and opened the doors for trading yesterday.

Mr Suttill, who worked as the café manager under the previous owners, said he hopes the new venture will “give something back to the community”.

He added:

“We’re just two hard-working guys.

“We’ve put our own touches on it and the new menu is launching next week.”

The re-opening comes after the former Mackenzies Smoked Products Ltd, trading as Mackenzies Smokehouse, went into voluntary liquidation in February – owing more than £1 million.

Clark Business Recovery was appointed to oversee the liquidation and found HMRC was among the 156 creditors. The company owed more than £45,000 for VAT, PAYE and National Insurance Contribution.

However, Mr Suttill told the Stray Ferret the smokehouse is “a different business” and is not part of the new ownership.

Read more:

• Nidderdale smokehouse and farm shop appoints liquidators
• HMRC unlikely to receive payment from Harrogate company collapse

Mr Suttill has previously managed Michelin star restaurants and said he is “well-known in the area” for his “fantastic” customer service.

His business partner, Mr Guessis, worked as a chef in London and at The Crown Hotel in Harrogate, and is now the chef at the café.

Mr Suttill added:

“We’re going to host lots of charity events too, we’re already planning a Christmas event.

“I’ve been in this business for many years – I know it – so it’s just going to be good food, good service and a focus on community.”

The farm shop and café will use both new and existing suppliers to sell locally-sourced produce, including meats, baked good and home accessories.

Mackenzies Farm Shop and Café is open seven days a week from 9am – 5pm.

Christmas is the season to eat, drink and be merry. But it’s easy to get caught up in planning your Christmas dinner and forget about the rest of the food and drink you need.

Here’s our round-up of some of the very best local businesses with the food and drink you’ll need over the whole Christmas period.

Beer from Rooster’s Brewing Co.

Rooster’s Brewing Co. make a range of beers that cover a variety of styles, from pale ales and IPA’s to best bitters, stouts and sour beers, all brewed on Harrogate’s Hornbeam Park.

What’s more, Roosters offers a free local delivery service within Harrogate and Knaresborough*, as well as a ‘Cluck & Collect’ service from the brewery and onsite Taproom!

Find your new favourite beer here.

*Minimum spend applies, please see website for specific areas covered.

Cheese from The Cheeseboard

Is Christmas even Christmas if you don’t eat lots of delicious cheese? Save the hassle of collating an assortment of individual cheeses with a ready packed hamper from The Cheeseboard. 

To keep things local, try the ‘Luxury Yorkshire Hamper’. It contains traditional Wensleydale, mature Yorkshire cheddar, Flat Capper brie, blue Wensleydale, Yorkshire halloumi, Stottie goat’s milk camembert, strawberry jam, lemon and ginger marmalade and Wensleydale chutney from Rosebud Preserves, Blueberry preserves lime curd, and of course, traditional fruit cake.

You can order your Luxury Yorkshire cheese hamper here. 

Gin from Whittaker’s Winter Solstice Gin

This delicious Whittaker’s gin is a smooth winter spice and fruity 42% London dry gin, an ideal fireside tipple for cold winter nights. Featuring juniper and coriander gently overlaid with signature botanicals of dried bitter orange and currants, it’s perfect as a gift… or a treat for yourself.

It’s best served over ice, with either ginger beer, ginger ale or simply with a plain regular tonic – but don’t be shy with your measure of gin. Add a slice of orange, or for a warming alternative add a star anise and use a cinnamon stick as a stirrer.

Get a bottle of Whittaker’s Winter Solstice Gin here. 

Fish from Mackenzie’s Smokehouse

Smoked right here in the Harrogate district at Mackenzie’s Smokehouse in Blubberhouses, the Trawler hamper is perfect for anyone wanting a luxury fish-feasting experience.

Inside you’ll find traditional oak smoked salmon, oak roast hot smoked salmon, kippers, mackerel fillets, smoked salmon pate and mackerel pate.

Order the Trawler hamper here.

Wine from Yorkshire Vintners

The Yorkshire Vintners Ultimate Wine Lover’s Christmas Hamper really does have it all when it comes to exploring wines.

It’s a journey through the various styles and prominent origins of wines, starting with a renowned English sparkling Nyetimber, followed by a classic chablis and standout Australian red blend. Moving on, there’s a sauternes, then 10-year-old tawny port, finishing with a wonderfully smooth cream liqueur from an emerging distiller here in Yorkshire.

Also included is a Nyetimber bottle stopper, Grahams Port decanter and corkscrew.

Order the Yorkshire Vintners Ultimate Wine Lover’s Christmas Hamper here. Order before 15 December to guarantee for Christmas.

Just so you know, all of the local businesses featured here were selected on their own merit, but some have paid to be featured in this article.