A POPULAR farm shop and cafè has been honoured as one of the top performing companies in East Staffordshire.
Denstone Hall Farm Shop and Cafè, in Main Road, Denstone, was awarded Burton small business of the year (between 11 and 20 employees) at the Advertiser’s sister paper The Burton Mail Business Awards 2011.
The ceremony saw nearly 300 people packed into the Pirelli Stadium as the accolades were handed out to the best businesses in Burton, Swadlincote and Uttoxeter.
There were more than 60 nominations for the sought-after awards which were whittled down to an elite crop of finalists after a rigorous judging process.
Denstone Hall Farm Shop owner Rupert Evans said: “We have won a lot of awards over the years for different things we have done but this is an overarching award of our overall performance and it is really nice to be recognised for that.
“Like getting a seal of approval for what we are doing in general, particularly as we started in 2007, just before the recession, so we have hit some tough times but we have never seen a backwards year.
“Year on year we are seeing an increase in turnover which we are pleased with. We are not breaking any records but we are holding steady and we have loyal customers and businesses that keep using us week in and week out which is a testament to our success.” Kevin Booth, editor of the Burton Mail and Uttoxeter Advertiser, told finalists: “We revived these awards last year after a short break and were delighted with the response from the local business community.
“This year, the level of interest was greater still.
And just as the quantity has grown, so too has the quality of your entries.
“I know the judging panel faced some extremely difficult decisions in separating the eventual winners from their competitors, with several of the categories almost too close to call.
“To have made the final shortlist is an achievement in itself and you all have my admiration for the strength of your submissions.
“In East Staffordshire and South Derbyshire, this year has been tough. Right now, conditions remain testing. Further ahead, the outlook is seen as tricky.
“But there is general agreement among our judges that companies like yours are proving to be the beacons that others can follow when times are bleak and dark.
“I commend you for that.” Dave Bryon, the awards director, said: “The standard of the 2011 award was even higher than in 2010. What impressed the judges the most was the range of businesses which are thriving in East Staffordshire and South Derbyshire.
“Winners came from not only the mainstream business community, but also ecommerce with firms like Top CashBack and Millions of Toys, the rural sector with Denstone Hall Farm Shop and Cafè, and traditional manufacturing with Reabrook.
“We are really excited about next year’s awards already and wish all businesses the very best in the coming 12 months.”
Infinity IT Solutions and TopCashBack narrowly missed out on awards.
The farm shop has been given a double reason to celebrate after coming third in the Producer of the Year category at the Taste of Staffordshire Good Food Awards.
