Congratulations to Oxfordshire’s Best Rural Retailers
8 Jan 2008
Oxfordshire is home to 2 regional winners in the Best Rural Retailer Awards, run by the Countryside Alliance. First conceived of in 2005, it was borne of a need to support and promote rural communities. The Countryside Alliance had long felt the “doom and gloom” tales of rural decline, while true to an extent, did not accurately reflect the spirit of rural people and the efforts of thousands to keep their communities alive.
Congratulations to the 2 regional winners from Oxfordshire:
1. Best Local Food Category: Big Bang
124 Walton Street
Jericho
Oxford
Oxfordshire
OX2 6AH
http://www.thebigbangoxford.co.uk/
bookings@thebigbangoxford.co.uk
01865 511441
Sara Rutherford, Regional Director for the South and leader of the local judging panel says: “This wonderful restaurant offers nothing but sausages from the local area, ensuring that food miles are reduced to a minimum, and that each time a customer dines there, they are supporting local suppliers. Their food is sourced from within a 20 mile radius and their message is focused on buying local - their tag line is ’smile you’re buying local’. They really support local farming and production, and their carbon footprint is tiny.”
2. Best Shop / PO Category: Ascott under Wychwood Village Shop
Cooks Row
High Street
Ascott under Wychwood
Oxfordshire
OX7 6FY
www.ascott-under-wychwood.org.uk/shop
01993 831240.
Sara says: “The loss of the village shop some years ago on the owners’ retirement was keenly felt by the whole community. Grasping the opportunity to have a brand-new one as part of a property development, a volunteer group worked miracles, raising funds from the residents, completely fitting out the bare shell and stocking the shelves. The result is stunning and has become pivotal to the community. The group of over 40 volunteers who run the enterprise are passionate about serving and uniting the local community and devote countless hours both on and off stage to that end. In July, the village was overwhelmed by floods for the first time in 150 years, forcing many from their homes. Barely escaping the waters, the shop was manned by a rota of volunteers, donating emergency packs to the needy and serving a never-ending stream of customers with staples, ready meals and some wine to ease the pain. Not only that, the store became a nerve-centre for help and information. Everyone involved was pleased and proud to have acted as a lifeline in the crisis.”
For more information about the awards or to see a full list of winners, visit www.bestruralretailer.co.uk.
