National Farmers’ Retail and Markets Association Ltd, Registered Number IP23675R VAT Registration number: 345887019
Farm Retail Awards 2022 Winners
The Farm Retail Awards celebrate the cream of the crop in the industry. They are the only awards judged by fellow farm retailers and celebrate the best farm shops, farm cafés and restaurants, farmers’ markets and trade suppliers in the country.
The 2022 awards ceremony took place at the Hilton Gateshead in Newcastle, showcasing an amazing array of farm retailers from the length and breadth of the UK.
Part of our annual event dedicated to farm retailers, ‘Stronger Together’, we were delighted to be back together in person to celebrate this years award winners.
Café/Restaurant of the Year
kindly sponsored by Fleming Howden
WINNER: The Lambing Shed, Cheshire
Judges noted the high quality of food and service and hailed the Lambing Shed’s café as a superb example of a business which understands its customer profile and then delivers a range of food and service to meet their customer’s needs.
FINALISTS
The Harley Café (Welbeck Farm Shop), Nottinghamshire
Newton Farm Foods, Bath
Small Farm Shop of the Year
kindly sponsored by The Cress Co
WINNER: Newton Farm Foods, Bath
Judges noted that Newton’s overall customer proposition was well combined with their retail offer, restaurant and events. They praised its focus on local products and the way it inspired customers through displays as well as delivering a high level of customer service.
FINALISTS
Bells Farm Shop, Stourport-on-Severn
Groombridge Farm Shop, Tunbridge Wells
Lawn Farm Shop, Wiltshire
Rising Star of the Year
kindly sponsored by Field Fare
WINNER: Flourish Foodhall & Kitchen, Bristol
Judges were impressed by the business’s focus on attention to detail and retail layout, stating that Flourish’s Food Hall, Restaurant and facilities created an environment that their customers love.
FINALISTS
Lawn Farm Shop, Wiltshire
Large Farm Shop of the Year
kindly sponsored by Cunninghams EPOS Group
WINNER: Darts Farm, Exeter, Devon
Judges said Darts Farm has ‘wow factor’ as it offers a large range of produce without losing its focus or customer perception. The farm shop truly is a destination centre, that attracts a mixture of customers.
FINALISTS
Hartley Farm Shop, Wiltshire
Runcton Farm Shop, West Sussex
Blacker Hall Farm Shop, West Yorkshire
Farmers Market of the Year
kindly sponsored by Yorkshire Agricultural Society
WINNER: Lavenham Farmers Market, Suffolk
Judges stated that Lavenham’s Farmers Market was one of togetherness and pride. They noted that the market offered a culture of working with each other, offering a strong and wide range of local foods which created an atmosphere their customers loved. The interaction the stall holders showed to their customers was inspiring and clearly everyone visiting on the day loved it.
FINALISTS
Barnard Castle Farmers Market, County Durham
Stroud Farmers Market, Gloucestershire
Moseley Farmers Market, West Midlands
Supplier of the Year
WINNER: Malcolm Scott Consultants and The Flying Fork
Malcolm Scott, Worcester: Judges were impressed by Andrew who was “very helpful, insightful, knowledgeable and personable”. Judges said the consultancy would be valuable when starting up a business and finding suppliers.
The Flying Fork, Dorset: Judges were impressed by Edward who was enthusiastic, helpful, friendly and knowledgeable. They said they would be extremely likely to use his services to help get a business off the ground.
FINALISTS
COOK
Digitickets
Total Produce
PYO of the Year
Kindly sponsored by Digitickets
WINNER: Lotmead PYO
Judges were impressed and inspired by the business, with well thought out plots, strawberries well set out and raspberries in great condition.
FINALISTS
Bells Farm Shop & PYO, Stourport-on-Severn
Brockbushes Farm, Northumberland
Felderland Farm PYO, Kent
Lifetime Achievement Award
Kindly Sponsored by CSY Retail Solutions
WINNER: Kevin Stokes, Farndon Fields, Market Harborough
Hailed as running one of the best farm shops in the country, owner Kevin is highly regarded for his innovation, his kindness and willingness to help others. Farndon Fields has won a raft of awards and is a true family business.
Kevin is a first generation farmer, his dad was an engineer but Kevin just had a passion for growing stuff. His passion as a young teenager lead Kevin to attending Agricultural college and whilst at college he started growing a few fruits and veggies on a small plot – selling them from door to door on his bike.
Upon leaving college Kevin partnered with a local beef, sheep, grass farmer college friend and moved to Farndon Fields where he introduced potatoes and vegetables, with soft fruit soon to follow.
In 2022 Farndon Fields is growing from strength to strength, with their two children Ollie and Nicki both now working in the business – it is only right that Kevin should be proud
He has worked from the bottom up, delivering veggies on his bike to what he is today – A HUGE family business.