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Fuel prices are affecting business, says farm boss

Luke Deal,at Baylham House Rare Breeds Farmand
George King,Suffolk
BBC A head and shoulders image of Kate Ockleton. She is wearing a dark grey jacket over a dark coloured top and standing in front of some hay. She is looking directly into the camera.BBC
Farm manager Kate Ockleton said visitors numbers were down but she was "not too concerned"

The manager of a farm said the cost of living and fuel prices had contributed to a drop in visitor numbers during what would usually be a busy period around Easter.

Baylham House Rare Breeds Farm, near Ipswich, Suffolk, is a working livestock farm and tourist attraction which is open to visitors all year round.

Kate Ockleton, the site's manager, said the farm, which has everything from donkeys to lambs, was often busiest during school holidays but it had so far been a "slow start".

When speaking to the BBC, she said she was "not too concerned" but cited the rising cost of petrol due to the ongoing US-Israel war with Iran as a potential reason.

"It's been a slow start, and we are aware of it, but we have seen a fairly good few numbers through the door," she said.

"I'm not too concerned because everyone is obviously feeling the pinch with fuel prices going up and food costs going up.

"We've seen a lot of people with picnics, which is fine, and a lot of people are getting the bus or getting taxis in, so that's good."

Wayne Bavin/BBC Kate gazes at the two alpaca babies, one white and one brown as they sit on her lap. The white one has her eyes closed. Kate has brown hair tied back. There is a wooden door or gate behind her.Wayne Bavin/BBC
Ockleton with the farm's new baby alpacas, which were born in February

Over the Easter weekend, the site held lamb cuddling, goat grooming and bunny stroking sessions, while visitors could also feed all of the farm's animals.

Ockleton said the farm wanted to "pack as much in" as possible so that visitors felt they were "getting their money's worth" during what is a financially-testing time for many.

"We have done a small price increase this year, but we've done our best to keep it as low as possible," she added.

"We are very aware that people just don't have the money and we want people to come and enjoy our animals still.

"We want them to get the most out of their visits when they come here."

Wayne Bavin/BBC White alpaca Alina in her stall stands in straw with her head turned away from the camera. Her son, a small brown alpaca with a white face stands behind her with his ears pricked.Wayne Bavin/BBC
The farm has a range of animals on site, all of whom can now be fed by visitors

The price of oil has soared since the Strait of Hormuz - through which 20% of the world's oil and gas trade passes through - was effectively blocked.

"Our fuel prices have gone up and our feed costs have gone up, so we are watching the pennies as well," added Ockleton.

"So, everybody's feeling it," she added.

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