When Jeremy Clarkson opened a farm shop in Oxfordshire, it became so popular that it was quickly overwhelmed with visitors - forcing him to apply to build a much bigger parking area.

And now a family-run business in Kent finds itself in a similar situation following a surge in customers.

Algar Lodge Farm Shop and Cafe, in Sandwich Road, Deal, has submitted plans to Dover District Council (DDC) for 27 additional parking spaces.

The expansion is on a far smaller scale to that seen in the Amazon Prime series about Clarkson’s Diddly Squat farm.

But the reasoning behind it is the same - rapidly rising visitor numbers, a lack of existing spaces and growing concerns about customers parking dangerously on nearby roads.

Jane Algar, who runs the business with her daughter, told KentOnline the success of the business means the extra spaces are needed.

“The reason for the [new] car park is we're just so busy at weekends,” she said.

“Overflow parking is desperately needed because we're too busy now, and people are just parking all over the place.

“We're trying to make sure that it's kept safe and that there's adequate parking for people when they're shopping."

Ms Algar says the shop’s cafe - offering an array of cakes, pies, meat and veg - is what draws most of their visitors.

"A lot of what we try and source is local - most of it is Kent produce, Kent products,” she said.

“I think that's what people really love. It's been amazing to see the business grow so much in just a few years."

The proposed site for the new parking spaces is just off Deal Road near the roundabout leading to Betteshanger Park. The location is intended to benefit both visitors to the farm shop and those heading to the country park.

The Algar family bought the site, formerly known as Old Lorry Farm Shop, back in 2017 and have since built up a loyal customer base.

The business - which also hosts a butchery, deli and bakery - opened in 2020 and Ms Algar says it has been getting busier every year.

The shop’s popularity has also led to the need for more staff, increasing parking demand further.

The application also includes plans to expand the storage area, helping it keep up with demand for its produce and cafe offerings.

At present, visitors who can’t find a space in the existing car park often resort to leaving their cars along Sandwich Road, creating what the application calls a “safety risk”, especially during busy weekends and school holidays.

If approved, the expansion would ease pressure on nearby roads and improve the experience for both customers and staff, the plans say.

In 2023, bosses’ plans for three glamping cabins to be built next door to the shop were approved by DDC.