Developers hope to build a £5 million pie factory in Canterbury as part of a bold scheme to open a new farmers’ market on the outskirts of the city.

Plans for the processing plant - which will produce meat, vegetable and fruit pastries - are currently taking shape and investors for the project are being brought on board.

Fronted by a newly-formed Canterbury-based company, the project would create at least 30 full-time jobs and is hoped would bring a “big financial boost” to the area.

The planned location of the factory is yet-to-be disclosed, however, it would go hand-in-hand with a £400,000 farmers’ market proposed for the former Bygones reclamation yard in Merton Lane, off Nackington Road.

The new marketplace, for which plans have been submitted to the city council, is envisaged to become a “thriving destination for retail and leisure” - selling a range of goods, as well as boasting a cafe for light lunches and breakfast.

It will be a hub for farmers and start-up businesses from Canterbury’s surrounding villages to sell their produce.

Eight indoor trading stands will be set up, along with extra commercial spaces in outside shipping containers.

The farmers’ market is the vision of former bricklayer and Canterbury businessman Nick Brown, whose firm Candyco is behind the marketplace proposals.

Meanwhile, a newly-formed business named Canterbury Farmers Foods Ltd is planning the nearby pie factory.

Once up-and-running, the pies made at the processing plant will then be sold at the market along with other goods from farmers, including meat, vegetables, honey and cereals.

“There are a lot of fruit growers down here so we think we can make some great fruit pies,” Mr Brown said.

“We’re getting some good investors behind it as it’ll be a great place for a new processing plant.

“They know a good opportunity when they see one and Canterbury has a lot to offer.

“The factory will certainly bring a big economic boost and further investment into the area and there will definitely be 30 full-time jobs created.”

Detailed plans for the factory are yet to be finalised and proposals are yet to be submitted to the city council. The farmers’ market aspect of the scheme is a step ahead and already being considered by planning officers.

If approved, the dog-friendly complex, of which the main building will be in black timber cladding, will have 35 parking spaces.

It is thought it could rival The Goods Shed in Canterbury city centre, which has made its name with a similar concept.

Mr Brown, 63, said: “The idea is to provide a consolidation of farm products in one place - where traders will all be in one location that’s known by everyone. Farmers can get their goods out to customers in nice surroundings.

“They might come once or twice a week to put their produce on sale, or maybe three or four times - it depends on what the uptake is.

“The main thing is, people will see it’s local food - and the farmers we’ve been speaking to like the idea.

“It’s just back to basics really. Everyone will save on petrol and haulage costs and customers will be able to enjoy some light lunch at the cafe where we’ll be offering hot food like jacket potatoes and paninis.

“The Goods Shed is a nice place to eat but it’s right in the middle of town and there’s no greenery around it.

“What we’re doing, is getting people into a more sedate surrounding and getting them to think about the environment and how locally-produced foods can trump the mass productions that go to supermarkets.

"We’ll also prove there’s nothing wrong with oddly-shaped vegetables.”

The project’s architects, Studio Briner, say the development will “not be at odds” with the surrounding countryside and will instead be a “pleasant, attractive commercial environment”.

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