William Reed celebrates the local retailers that empower their staff

It goes without saying that supporting local builds a stronger economy for the country.

According to Civil Economics, for every pound/dollar/euro spent at an independent, three times more money is returned to the economy compared to that spent at a larger chain. It jumps to 50 times more when compared to an online retailer.

Supporting local also gives back to the community. It creates more jobs, reduces environment impact and can even lower taxes (less demand on roads, sewers and safety services). When small businesses are strong, they also typically contribute other local independent groups, with donations, financial-backing, products and purchases.

So it’s a no-brainer to support buy local, eat local, go local.

For more than a decade, the Farm Shop & Deli Retailer Awards has celebrated these hardworking enterprises. The Awards – hosted by William Reed’s events division in partnership with The Grocer – recognise the highest levels of service, product knowledge, initiative, innovation and community involvement, offered by our heroes of the High street.

Showcase your team

The 2023 Awards specifically focus on businesses that have played an important role in developing their team and the initiatives implemented to retain, reward and empower staff.

An esteemed panel of judges – headed by food & drink broadcaster Nigel Barden (chair) and food and travel writer Elaine Lemm (co-chair) – took into consideration the ways in which the entrants supported their staff, regardless of business size and turnover, and no matter how large or small the initiative or what financial investment it involved.

The shortlist of finalists – spanning nine UK regions and 12 business categories – were whittled down from hundreds of entries and include 68 of the UK’s best loved pillars of their respective communities and champions of great produce and sustainable practice. 

The initial judging process of the online entry forms included a weighted scoring system to decide the Best in Region Winners, along with the Newcomer of the Year and Retailer of the Year.

All the winners will be revealed on Tuesday, 25 April at the Farm Shop & Deli Show being held at the NEC Birmingham, in what promises to be a thrilling celebration of UK food and drink.

The 2023 shortlist of finalists

East Anglia​

• Fodder
• Friday Street Farm Shop
• Poplar Nurseries
• River Colne Food Co
• The Goat Shed Farm Shop & Kitchen
• The Grundisburgh Dog Delicatessen Ltd
• The Norfolk Deli
• The Prospects Trust Unwrapped

Midlands ​

• Aubrey Allen
• Bells Farm Shop
• Broad Bean Delicatessen
• Canalside Farm, Shop & Cafe
• Croots Farm Shop
• Delilah Fine Foods Ltd
• Drapers Lane Delicatessen
• Farndon Fields Farm Shop
• Harp Lane Deli
• Reunion Deli
• Stoughton Grange Farm Shop and Distillery
• The Chuckling Cheese Company
• Welbeck Farm Shop

North East ​

• Coghlans at Barningham
• Cut by Farmison & Co
• George & Joseph Cheesemongers
• Mainsgill Farmshop
• Piper’s artisan sausages
• Samuel Valentine - The Urban Food Hall
• Yolk Farm

Northern Ireland ​

• Clive’s Country corner
• Colemans Farm Shop
• Cunningham Butchers, Food Hall & Steak House
• Millar Meats and Fine Foods
• Quails fine foods

North West ​

• Bells fishmongers ltd
• Cheshire Smokehouse Limited
• Chorlton Cheesemongers Ltd
• Country Harvest
• Gazegill Organics
• Kami's West Derby
• Lovingly Artisan Bakery
• Low Sizergh Barn
• Roast Mutton

Scotland ​

• Belhaven Smokehouse
• Kj's Bothy Bakery
• Macauley's Fruit and Veg Merchant
• The House of Bruar
• The Kedar Pantry

South East ​

• Cheese Etc, The Pangbourne Cheese Shop
• Cobbs Farm Shop, Cobbs at Winchester, Cobbs at Englefield, Cobbs at Manydown
• Cowdray Farm Shop & cafe
• Flock & Herd Butchery and Deli
• Hampshire Artisan Foods Ltd - trading as Hampshire Deli & Farm Shop
• Macknade Food Hall
• Melrose & Morgan
• The Grumpy Goat
• The Hungry Guest
• The Kitchen Food Company
• Valentina Deli

South West ​

• Bay Leaves Larder
• Darts Farm
• Durslade Farm Shop
• Flourish Foodhall & Kitchen
• Great Cornish Food Store
• Greendale Farm Shop
• Pipers Farm

Wales ​

• Bodnant Welsh Food
• Forage Farm Shop & Kitchen
• Nolton Cross Farm Shop