BUSINESSES HONOURED WITH RURAL ACCOLADES
A NORTHUMBERLAND village shop and County Durham butcher have been crowned the best rural businesses in the North of England in their respective categories.
Lowick Village Store in north Northumberland scooped the award at the Countryside Alliance Northern Awards, also known as the “Rural Oscars”.
It was one of two North East winners, the other being Broom House Farm in Durham.
Two North East businesses were also highly commended; Slaley Community Shop in Northumberland in the village shop and post office category, and Holmside Farm Fresh in the butcher category. The winner in each category will now go on to represent the North of England in the national champions reception at the House of Lords in June, competing against other finalists from across the UK.
Lynsey Fairbairn, who owns Lowick Village Store, said she was chuffed with the award. She told the Journal: “I didn’t think we’d win because it was all Harrogate and Barnsley, and those places are bigger so you think they’ve got more people to vote. But we’re invested in the community, we do as much as we can for everybody that we can, and they really appreciate what we do.”
Sarah Lee, Countryside Alliance director of policy, said: “We are proud to be honouring these exceptional rural businesses in the North, and the people behind them who are passionate about providing quality goods, services, and employment to rural communities and beyond.
North East winners
Best Village Shop and Post Office:
Lowick Village Store, Northumberland
Best Butcher: Broom House Farm, Durham
Highly Commended: Village Shop and
Post Office: Slaley Community Shop, Northumberland
Highly Commended Butcher: Holmside Farm Fresh, Durham