The hunt is on for Britain’s best bakery shop

Suppliers and consumers are invited to nominate specialist food and drink retailers – including bakery businesses – for recognition in the Farm Shop & Deli Retailer Awards.

Entries are open across nine regions and ten categories (baker, butcher, cheesemonger, delicatessen, farm shop, fishmonger, food hall, greengrocer, online business, village store/ local shop) to identify and reward the best specialist shops across the country.

This year’s expert judges are keen to recognise businesses that are playing a major role in supporting and developing their employees. Judges will be looking for initiatives that retailers have implemented to retain, reward and empower their staff.

“In 2023 we are putting emphasis on the relationship with staff and how important that is to shoppers,” explained chair of judges Nigel Barden. “Well trained, valued and contented employees invariably result in happy customers.”

There are some changes to this year’s awards. Each of the nine regions will be split by large and small retailers, determined by turnover.

Any businesses that opened after 1 January 2021 may be put forward by judges to win the Newcomer of the Year award.

• The Retailer of the Year accolade is returning to the awards, with an overall winner selected by the judges from one of the regional winners
• The deadline for nominations is 6 January 2023, while businesses wanting to enter the awards themselves have until 31 January
• The awards are free to enter and winners will be revealed live from the Farm Shop & Deli Show at the NEC Birmingham on Tuesday 25 April 2023.

“This is my first year of being involved in the retailer awards and it is clear they play a key role in shining a spotlight on the fantastic work these retailers do for both their community and staff,” said retailer awards events manager Denise Cook. “I urge all customers and suppliers to nominate those worthy retailers, and for the retailers themselves to enter the 2023 awards for free.”

To nominate or enter the awards for visit the Farm Shop & Deli Retailer Awards website.