The food shop, based on the Great Yorkshire Showground, Harrogate, part of the recently opened £5.1m Regional Agricultural Centre, has also recruited Shepherds Purse founder, Judy Bell, to train delicatessen staff on the qualities and intricacies of her own cheeses and the range of British cheeses stocked. The training, which includes hygiene, cutting, selling, tasting and displaying cheeses, will help staff increase knowledge and understanding of the products and be well informed for consumers shopping at Fodder.

Cheese and food lovers will be able to choose from a range of cow's, ewe's and water buffalo milk cheeses, all traditionally handmade at the Bell family dairy in Thirsk.

Judy Bell of Shepherds Purse Cheeses said: "I am absolutely delighted to supply our entire range of cheeses to Fodder, which aims to inject new life into the rural economy and support our region's farmers and producers.”

n MCDONALDS Harrogate has doubled its workforce and reported increasing sales following a £250,000 investment last autumn.

The investment has not only given the restaurant a new look but has led to the recruitment of 14 new staff members.

The refurbishment included the installation of energy efficient lighting, contemporary interior design, large group tables and free WiFi access.

Pritpal Singh, franchisee of McDonald’s in Harrogate said: “Specifically we’ve seen more young professionals through the doors, many running their own businesses.

“The sales figures are fantastic news and it is great to be able to offer more employment opportunities to the local community.”

n HAIGH HOMES founding director Gillian Sabin, who lives in Boroughbridge, has been recognised for her marketing skills by the Chartered Institute of Marketing.

Gillian established Haigh Homes two years ago and has responsibility for sales and marketing as well as land acquisition.

Her co-founder Richard Floyd, with whom she worked previously at a leading Yorkshire developer, is in charge of construction.

“Starting a new housing development company in 2007 was not exactly the best timing but I am sure that with the quality and design of our product and effective marketing we can buck the trend and build a very successful company,” said Gillian.

nSTEENBERGS, the Melmerby-based organic spice firm, has launched organic orange flower water and natural almond extract in its home bakery range.

“Our home bakery products have proved popular and these new additions will add further flavour to the range,” says Axel Steenberg, who founded Steenbergs – the organic and Fairtrade spice specialists – with his wife, Sophie, in 2003.