Hexham MP, Guy Opperman, has visited rural businesses nominated for the Countryside Alliance Awards in the Village Shop category.
The Awards celebrate fine local British food, drink and produce, and shopkeepers and staff who go above and beyond to serve their community.
Slaley Community Shop and North Acomb Farm Shop were nominated after more than 17,000 people voted for their favourite local shop.
The Community Shop in Slaley is run solely by volunteers, following a successful bid by the community to purchase it in 2017. The store stocks a wide range of essentials, as well as local meat, dairy, and alcoholic products. The store also welcomes customers to use its self-service café where locals or visitors passing through can enjoy drinks inside, or outside, in the small garden.
North Acomb Farm Shop is a family-run business, created in 1978 by husband and wife Robin and Caroline Baty. The shop started with Caroline Baty selling surplus eggs from the back door porch, but has grown in the years since, to offer a wide range of fresh meats, veg, home-baking produce, and more. The shop is also home to livery stables, as well as a vibrant farm, including cattle, sheep, pigs, peacocks, and even guinea fowl.
Voting for the Village Shop awards opened on Monday 19 February and will close on Monday 1 April at midnight.
All winners will be invited to the House of Lords reception in June where the UK champions will be announced.
The MP visited each of the village shops after hearing about the Countryside Alliance awards. Mr Opperman awarded Slaley Community Shop and North Acomb Farm Shop one of his own Small Business Award after receiving a number of positive comments from constituents about excellent customer service at the two shops.
Guy Opperman MP said:
'It is no wonder that Slaley Community Shop and North Acomb Farm Shop were nominated for an award.
'It was clear to see from my recent visit that they go the extra mile to serve local people and they are proud to be at the heart of the communities they are a part of. I am always looking to recognise fantastic local businesses and I was delighted to present each of them with one of my Small Business Awards.
'I would encourage everyone to visit the Countryside Alliance website and show their support for Slaley Community Shop.'
Commenting on receiving the MP's Small Business Award, Robin Baty, owner of the North Acomb Farm Shop said:
'We are very humbled to have recently been awarded a Small Business Award by our local Member of Parliament, Guy Opperman.
Thank you to all of our customers new and old who have and continue to support us.'
Sandra Innes, a volunteer at Slaley Community Shop said:
'We were surprised and delighted to receive Guy's Small Business Award. Slaley Community Shop is run by a fantastic band of over 50 volunteers who give up their time every week to serve the village and surrounding area. They are very much appreciated by the local community but it is wonderful for them to receive wider recognition for the amazing job they do.'