A LATCHINGDON vineyard is set to open the doors on its new wine shop and tea room after receiving nearly £40,000 in grant funding for the project.

Clayhill Vineyard, based between Althorne and Latchingdon, was given a grant of £38,121 by the Essex Rivers LEADER fund for the work last year.

The wine shop and tea rooms will open on July 8, and Dale Symons, who runs the vineyard with wife, Victoria, says it is the end of an 11 year plan.

Dale said: “We are very pleased to finally get the chance to open this shop and tea room. This has always been the vision. It is what we have been aiming to do since we opened the Vineyard in 2006.

“It has taken time to find the money but with the help of the funding from the Essex Rivers LEADER fund we have been able to make it a reality.

“We are particularly excited about the tea rooms as we have made the most of the far reaching views across the Crouch and this will be an added draw.

“It is a beautiful spot in the Essex countryside and we wish to draw in tourists to show them the real Essex.

“We are delighted that we will be able to share these views with the people who visit. They can stop, enjoy a slice of cake, a tea and a coffee, as well as a nice glass of wine.”

The tea room will be officially opened on Saturday by Maldon MP, John Whittingdale, while the wine shop will open once a premises licence has been secured.

The Essex Rivers Local Action Group, who distributed the funding, was set up to provide £1.8million of LEADER funding to rural businesses and organisations in Essex.

The aim of the EU grant is to help boost growth and create jobs in the countryside and the group is made up of local community representatives from rural businesses and public bodies.

Robert Davidson, Chairman of the group, said: “We were so pleased to support Clayhill Vineyard by granting this money. It is a great project which will create jobs for local people and growth for the vineyard.”

To learn more about Clayhill Vineyard, visit clayhillvineyard.co.uk.