MORE than the entire population of Greater York has passed through the doors of the award-winning Balloon Tree Farm Shop and Caf in Gate Helmsley, latest figures have revealed.

Automated till statistics show the business, in Stamford Bridge Road, which draws on its own 35 fertile acres for stock, has attracted more than 200,000 shoppers over the past year - and more major investment is now under way.

The Machin family, whose business has grown by 80 per cent since last year in the wake of increasing public demand for fresh food, is planning for another growth spurt by enclosing a veranda and extending the retail area, a £30,000 project which should be completed by Easter.

It is part of a series of investments which over the year since last Christmas should total £160,000. The Machins have already spent some of that on new refrigeration and training.

Matthew Machin, 28, has also announced a £20,000 investment in poly-tunnels, which will enable his customers to buy the first seasonal asparagus in the north of England as well as other vegetables.

Expansion is needed as staff numbers grow rapidly.

Last February, there were 30 on the payroll. Now there are 40 and recruiting has begun to get the levels up to 65 for the summer. Help will be needed not only in the fields but also in the caf and shop.

The venture achieved a double whammy last year by scooping not only the overall title of Evening Press Business Of The Year, but also winning the same title outright in the subsequent business awards of our sister newspaper, the Gazette & Herald.

Run by brothers William and Matthew Machin, and their parents, Digby and Jill Machin, the Balloon Tree also clinched the Growth Business Of The Year and Retailer Of The Year titles in the Evening Press competition. It added Retailer Of The Year in the Gazette & Herald awards.

These added to its title of Best Farm Shop award from the Yorkshire Agricultural Society.

Matthew said: "The new poly-tunnels are particularly exciting, because it means that we will be able to grow vegetables two to three weeks ahead of season. That means that our customers will be able to taste the first asparagus of the season in the north of England."

Updated: 09:52 Friday, February 24, 2006