A farm shop in the heart of a ‘vibrant food community’ has been shortlisted for its third prestigious award this year, but needs customer support to achieve a ‘Rural Oscar’

The Welbeck Farm Shop is celebrating again this week, after being named a finalist in the 19th Countryside Alliance Awards for the Midlands in the Local Food and Drink category.

The Awards, known as the ‘Rural Oscars’, are the Countryside Alliance’s annual celebration of British food and farming, enterprise and heritage.

They are set apart from other award schemes because they are driven by public nomination. Loyal customers get the chance to win their favourite businesses national acclaim.

Husband and wife team, Ian and Rose are butchers at the Welbeck Estate.

placeholder image — Husband and wife team, Ian and Rose are butchers at the Welbeck Estate.

Voting is now open, and will close at midnight on April 6.

To vote, visit https://www.research.net/r/CAA26MBiz

Welbeck Farm Shop is part of a thriving food community on the Welbeck Estate in Nottinghamshire.

The shop was also recently shortlisted in Large Farm Shop of the Year categories in both the Farm Retail Association and Farm Shop and Deli Retailer Awards.

Welbeck Farm Shop is definitely upper crust after being shortlisted for a third award in quick succession.

Established in 2006, Welbeck Farm Shop’s product range is sourced from, or prepared on, the Welbeck Estate: it stocks the Estate’s own meat and game, and raw milk sold in an in-store vending machine is used to make the famous Stichelton blue cheese.

Countryside Alliance Awards director, Sarah Lee, said: "The secret to the Rural Oscars’ popularity is that they honour the people involved in these businesses and not just their produce or services.

"They sing the praises of those who work hard to keep our communities and rural economy ticking, but don’t seek the spotlight.

"These awards provide cause for celebration in a time of great uncertainty in the countryside”.

Oliver Stubbins, managing director at Welbeck Farm Shop, said: "Just to be shortlisted is excellent news, and testament to the hard work and dedication of the entire Farm Shop team and our excellent suppliers.

"We’d love to call on our customers to show their support and give us a vote.”

Winners will be chosen via a public vote which is now open, and will be announced in April.

The winners of the category will represent the region at the House of Lords in the national champions’ reception in July.

For more information on Welbeck Farm Shop, visit www.welbeckfarmshop.co.uk

To find out more about the Awards, visit www.countryside-alliance.org/caawards