Winners of the Farm Shop & Deli Retailer Awards 2023 revealed

On Tuesday 25th April specialist retailers, suppliers and judges came together in person at Farm Shop & Deli Show to celebrate the very best of the sector as the Best in Region, Newcomer of the Year and overall Retailer of the Year winners were announced to a packed audience.

A difficult decision
For 2023, the Retailer of the Year Awards recognised specialist retailers who are playing an important role in supporting and developing their teams. The judges were looking for what initiatives they have implemented to retain, reward and empower their staff.

Nigel Barden, chair of judges for the awards commented, “For yet another year, our judges had a difficult task drawing up the regional shortlists and winners for this year’s Farm Shop & Deli Retailer Awards, as there was an outstanding number of submissions from across the UK. 

“There were some remarkable entries reflecting how these resourceful and diligent entrants care about their businesses – and their staff. It truly was a privilege to read about them and celebrate them at the winner’s announcement.”

The winners 
Winning the title of Retailer of the Year was Cunningham Butchers, Food Hall & Steak House in Kilkeel, Northern Ireland. 

The judges were impressed with Cunningham Butchers, as they explained, “A business that keeps on entering and as always, the entry is very good. They seem to have a thorough training scheme in place right across from induction and onwards health and hygiene and apprenticeship scheme with a local training college with already had five apprentices get full-time employment which is exemplary.

“There is so much going on at Cunninghams, it’s incredible with shops and restaurant and concessions, producing their own butchery bakery ready meals et cetera. There’s no denying that this is a serious business in Northern Ireland and one is always scored very highly in the awards and again this year looks likely to do the same.”

“Steady, strong growth for an already well-established retailer operating across multiple sites and stores. Cunningham’s clearly a huge part of their community through a great local approach to colleagues and product sourcing.”

Taking the title of Newcomer of the Year was Flourish Foodhall & Kitchen, Bristol. Explaining why Flourish took the crown, the judges commented, “Deeply impressed by the employee care and attention in place, a terrific example of the future of employing people correctly!  Lovely shop with plenty of potential.

“If you were going to open a business and put people at the heart of it yours would be the inspiration. Your values and ideas are fantastic. People, place and planet, love it! Your branding is spot-on and reflects everything you’ve said in your application perfectly. Well done.”

Regional champions
Also announced on Tuesday were the regional winners from across the UK. For 2023, some of the regions were split into small and large retailers.

Best Retailer East Anglia – Large 
The Goat Shed Farm Shop & Kitchen, Norwich

Best Retailer East Anglia – Small 
The Prospects Trust Unwrapped, Ely

Best Retailer Midlands – Large 
Canalside Farm, Shop & Café, Great Haywood

Best Retailer Midlands – Small
Broad Bean Delicatessen, Ludlow

Best Retailer North East – Large 
Yolk Farm, York

Best Retailer North East – Small
George & Joseph Cheesemongers, Leeds

Best Retailer Northern Ireland – Large and Retailer of the Year
Cunningham Butchers, Food Hall & Steak House, Kilkeel

Best Retailer Northern Ireland – Small 
Millar Meats and Fine Foods, Irvinestown

Best Retailer North West – Large 
Bells fishmongers ltd, Carlisle

Best Retailer North West – Small 
Chorlton Cheesemongers Ltd, Manchester

Best Retailer Scotland – Large
The House of Bruar, Perth

Best Retailer Scotland – Small
Kj’s Bothy Bakery, Grantown-on-Spey

Best Retailer South East – Large
Macknade Food Hall, Faversham

Best Retailer South East – Small 
The Kitchen Food Company, Oxford

Best Retailer South West
Great Cornish Food Store, Truro

Best Retailer Wales
Forage Farm Shop & Kitchen, Cowbridge