Britain’s top shop
Village store scoops award with brie and book signings
IT was once just another boardedup shop on a rural high street.
Now, a decade since Bill and Rosamund de la Hay began renovating the derelict former auction house, it has been officially named the best small shop in Britain.
The couple, who run the Main Street Trading Company in St Boswells, Roxburghshire, beat hundreds of shops across the country to be awarded the accolade in London yesterday.
Originally opened as a book shop and cafe, the business has been expanded by Mr and Mrs de la Hay to include a delicatessen and homeware department.
It had made it to a shortlist of 25 shops before being announced as the winner by the Independent Retailers Association yesterday.
Mr de la Hay said: ‘We’re really surprised to have won, it’s fantastic. This is our tenth year, so it comes during a really big year for us. We have great staff, who review and recommend books and promote the produce and have a great relationship with the customers.
‘A lot of people say, “Oh, I would love to run a book shop,” but it really is hard work.’
Mr and Mrs de la Hay, aged 50 and 48, moved to Roxburghshire from London with their young family ten years ago – having given up their former jobs in photography and publishing.
Explaining why they have succeeded despite the struggles faced by many high street shops, Mr de la Hay said: ‘We’re in a rural area, but we get people coming from Edinburgh and benefit from tourism. We also have a lot of local people who come in regularly.
‘It’s important to put on events that bring people in, like chef demonstrations and book signings. That has worked well for us.’
Mark Walmsley, chairman of the Independent Retailers Association which runs the competition, said: ‘We have been able to celebrate the diversity, choice and quality of specialist independent retailers around the country and the contribution they make to their local communities.
‘We hope that, in the run-up to Christmas, it helps shine a light on some of the gems of our high streets and town centres and encourages more people to explore the independents in their areas.’