Rutland MP announces Gates Garden Centre in Cold Overton as the winner of her independent shop competition
The MP for Rutland has named a garden centre the winner in her annual competition to find the favourite independent shop.
Alicia Kearns runs the competition across her constituency, which also includes neighbouring Melton, to find the area’s favourite independent shop.
This year’s competition received 19,169 votes across 15 different categories.
Gates Garden Centre in Cold Overton was the overall winner with the highest number of total votes: 1,385.
One of the shoppers who voted for it said: "Everything you need one place, amazing fresh produce in the farm shop, plenty of concessions from fashion, pets and toys, excellent Christmas and seasonal shopping, plenty of gift ideas and availability and great cafe and restaurant to grab a quick bite to eat or sit down meal.”
And another said: "Has a wide variety of beautiful gifts and plants, something for everyone.”
Alicia (Con) said: “I have been absolutely blown away by our communities’ support for our local independent shops. We are so lucky to have such an incredible number of wonderful independent shops at the heart of so many of our communities. It has been a joy to celebrate them through this year’s awards, so thank you to everyone who took the time to vote.
“I’m already looking forward to see what next year’s awards have in store.”
Alicia spent Friday visiting the winners and runners-up to present them with their certificates and stickers for their shop windows.
Category winners and runner ups:
Beauty, Pampering and Wellness - Winner: ORB Retreat, Uppingham, Joint runner ups: Beauty Box, Melton Mowbray and Hair at No 11, Melton Mowbray.
Butcher – Winner: Derek Jones, Melton Mowbray, Runner up: Leeson Family Butchers, Oakham.
Café - Winner: Welly’s Sunny Skies Community Café, Melton Mowbray, Runner up: Pizzini, Bottesford.
Children and Babies – Winner: Inspirique Baby Photography, Melton Mowbray, Runner up: Kidzone, Melton Mowbray.
Clothing and Accessories – Winner: Baubles and Bangles, Melton Mowbray, Runner up: Wiseguys/girls, Melton Mowbray.
Craft and Hobby – Winner: Black Dragon Games, Melton Mowbray, Runner up: Wool Zone, Oakham.
Farm and Produce – Winner: Hilltop Farm Shop, Melton Mowbray, Runner up: March House Farm Shop, Great Dalby.
Food and Drink – Winner: Melton Cheeseboard, Melton Mowbray, Runner up: Otters Fine Foods, Oakham.
Garden Centre – Winner: Gates Garden Centre, Cold Overton, Joint runner ups: Rutland Garden Centre, Ashwell Road, The Grange Garden Centre, Melton Mowbray and Rutland Nursery, Manton.
Gifts and Stationery – Winner: Foxy Lots, Melton Mowbray, Runner up: Quirky Bird, Oakham
Homeware – Winner: Portess, Oakham, Runner up: D Norton and Son, Uppingham
Music and records – Winner: Icon Music, Melton Mowbray, Runner Up: Rocka-Buy Records, Oakham
Pharmacy – Winner: Rutland Late Night Pharmacy, Oakham, Runner up: Daynight Pharmacy, Melton Mowbray
Village Shop – Winner: Squirrel Stores, Long Clawson, Joint runner ups: Mace Village Shop, Whissendine and Medbourne Village Shops and Post Office, Medbourne
Special Commendation – Melton Sports, Melton Mowbray and Knights of Oakham, Oakham
Overall winner: Gates Garden Centre, Cold Overton
