A narrowboat-turned-farm shop is coming to the Macclesfield Canal this summer.

The Floating Farmshop is the brainchild of Naomi Cooper, who lives aboard a 30-foot-long boat with her pet rabbit, Eris.

Preserves, scones and locally-grown fruit and vegetables will be on offer when the towpath stall opens for business in Bollington this May.

She said: "I cannot tell you how excited I am!

"It's been so many years in the making and I can't quite believe the time to launch is here!

"I've posted about it on Facebook and had the best response, which makes me excited but also a bit anxious about meeting people's expectations.

"I guess that's the joy of starting a new business, I can set my own expectations and boundaries and enjoy the process, so that's what I'm trying to do!"

Naomi bought the boat as a way of improving her mental health (Credit: Naomi Cooper)

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Originally from Arnside in Cumbria, Naomi purchased the narrowboat, which she has named Sunflower, in 2023.

She saw it as being 'more achievable' than purchasing a house as well as a way to boost her mental health.

"Being closer to nature really helps keep my depression at bay and the idea of leading a slower, more intentional life with less belongings also appealed to me," Naomi said.

Naomi previously worked as an events co-ordinator at Woodbank Community Food Hub in Stockport.

It was there that she and the community gardeners began making jams and chutneys to use up excess produce, which they would sell at events.

She added: "I've always had a bit of an entrepreneurial spirit so one day the idea of selling similar produce from the side of my boat came to me!

"And it's important to me that I honour my roots, so as well as boat made preserves, I'll also be selling some brilliant produce from the community gardeners at Woodbank! 

"To be able to sell Stockport-grown fruit and veg from the side of a boat is quite a unique concept wouldn't you think?"

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The shop will sell jams, chutneys and pickles made by Naomi (Credit: Naomi Cooper)

Eventually Naomi is hoping to stock other local produce, such as honey, cheese and baked goods, as well as offering picnic boxes for people to take with them as they enjoy a walk along the canal.

She is also looking at hosting workshops with businesses such as Rootstock, a zero waste shop in Bollington, teaching people how to make their own pickles and preserves.

"I actually think the community engagement side of my business is what I'm most excited about!" Naomi said.

"I just love talking to people and teaching them what I know."

The Floating Farmshop opens for business in May (Credit: Naomi Coooper)

The Floating Farmshop will launch on the first weekend of May, opening from 10am to 4pm on Saturday, May 3, and Sunday, May 4.

It will start Bollington, with a more precise location to be announced nearer the time.

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Naomi will then set sail to Marple in June, High Lane and Poynton in July, back to Marple in September before returning to Bollington in October.

To find out more about the Floating Farmshop, visit the website - www.floatingfarmshop.com.