Stiff competition from major retailers such as Asda has sounded the death knell for an Ipplepen farm shop according to its owner. Clemo's Farm Shop on the Totnes Road, was established by beef farmer John Clements five years ago as a means of supporting not only his own farm business but other small producers. But in July 2005, he warned that despite investing almost £1 million into the project and 'brilliant' local support, the income was still not enough to justify the business rates and utility bills. At the time he raised additional capital by selling the site, including the adjoining petrol station, for 'considerably less' than the £1.2 million asking price and leasing it back again. But now the doors have closed on the farm shop for the last time, leaving just his butchery business and café open to customers. Mr Clements said the petrol station could survive if someone can be found to take on the business but much of the site could be developed for container storage if Teignbridge planners agree. Speaking to this paper, he said he was 'disappointed' that the business had failed and wasted no time in expressing where he thought the problem lay. Referring to the building of a new supermarket in Newton Abbot he said: 'Asda was the final nail in the coffin, that and all the big garden centres and DIY stores. 'With our costs we just get hammered all the time and that's why I've lost the passion. I'm now going to concentrate on my farming as that's what I still love and business is good.' Mr Clements said he now took part in Newton Abbot Farmers' Market each week and had established a thriving trade with pubs in the area keen to offer quality beef. He has moved his static retail butchery business into the garage shop on the Ipplepen site.
