Lodsworth Larder, already the regional winner in the 2021 Countryside Alliance Awards have just been announced as the runner-up nationally in the Village Shop category.
The shop has been a central hub for the community throughout the pandemic a point recognised by the judging panel and local MP, Gillian Keegan when she visited in October 2020. At the time of her visit to the shop, Gillian thanked the hard work of the team of volunteers recognising their efforts to support the most vulnerable and isolated within the community.
The competition was devised by the Countryside Alliance as a way of celebrating our communities, skills and produce through those who work so hard to keep rural life ticking. They are in their 15th year and this year we had over 19,000 nominations which goes to show much the British public value small businesses and local produce.
The judges were impressed by Lodsworth Larder saying, “The high commendation goes to a community shop which is a cross between a general village store and a farm shop. It prides itself on stocking produce from local nurserymen, bakers and butchers. It has also been a friendly face to all which has been so important to many over the last year. It is a tribute to all the volunteers hard work that this vital community shop has been going 10 years.”
On hearing of the new accolade, Gillian said, “Huge congratulations to the whole Lodsworth Larder team, and very well deserved. They have gone above and beyond throughout the pandemic to support their community, setting up a delivery service for those shielding and isolating. They even established an outdoor coffee spot so those who’d spent much of the year alone could come and meet a friendly face or two. This is a well-earned bit of recognition and I look forward to congratulating the team in person soon!”
