Visitors to an alpaca farm could soon be having a cuppa with a camelid companion, if plans for a café are approved.

Kirstie and Andrew Brown say the opportunity to spend some time with the gentle giants has become increasingly popular since they began breeding them in 2006.

The couple, who run Valley View Alpacas in Yaugher Lane in Hartlip, near Sittingbourne, say since going into partnership two years ago with Groupon, a company offering discounted activities to subscribers, they have been welcoming around 50 animal lovers each weekend for a farm tour and feeding.

Visitors also get the chance to pet the gentle giants and feel their fluffy fleeces.

While they only get to keep half of the ticket sales, the couple are making between £6,000 and £7,000 each year and have seen roughly 3,000 people come through the gates - some even leave having bought an alpaca.

With the growing popularity of their unique business, the pair now want to open a shop selling tea and coffee in part of an existing barn. In order to reduce the amount of plastic used, the couple will offer ceramic alpaca mugs with free refills.

They will also sell gifts including bookmarks and blankets made from their own wool.

“Our main business is breeding the alpaca, selling alpaca products, babies and pregnant females, and pet males to other breeders,” said Andrew.

“Some were used for therapy and others are used for trekking businesses or for pets.”

Andrew and Kirstie decided to open the farm after quitting their jobs as financial advisors.

“We wanted to get away from the rat race,” said Andrew, 54.

“We built up from eight original alpacas but now have 80. They are really friendly, people get to cuddle them.”

Feeding experiences at Valley View Alpacas are predominantly sold through Groupon but Andrew and Kirstie occasionally run private or group tours.

View the plans at tinyurl.com/sneplans ref: 19/500621/FULL