21 December 2009, 17:52 PM
  • A Wiltshire deli received £3,000 for winning the Swindon New Business Competition last month

Bloomfields Fine Food, which opened in May, got the accolade at the third annual Swindon Strategic Economic Partnership (SSEP) conference.

“We’re delighted to win the competition so soon after opening. Supporting local producers and growers is a particular priority of ours, so we sell as many locally sourced products as possible,” said Sue Belcher, owner.

“The prize money will go straight back into the business. We’re going to use it to set up an online hamper service and produce our own range of preserves and chutneys,” she said.

Judges called the shop ‘inspiring’ and ‘credible’.

“I’ve also been invited to join the organisation to fight the corner for independent food stores,” said Mrs Belcher.

“Swindon town centre is quite generic, with all the usual high street chains. Hopefully, we can encourage more small retailers to set up shop, and give the area more colour and character,” she concluded.

The SSEP was set up in 2003 to encourage the regeneration of Swindon’s small and large businesses.