A TEESDALE business has tonight been announced as a national winner in the hotly anticipated Countryside Alliance awards, known to many as the "Rural Oscars".
From over 18,000 public nominations – the awards most successful year to date – Cross Lanes Organic Farm Shop was named the National Local Food/Drink Champion this evening after impressing judges.
This award celebrates those who are playing an integral role in supporting the rural economy. It commends those that champion local produce and help to enhance their local community.
The awards are the Countryside Alliance’s annual celebration of British food and farming, enterprise and heritage through small hard-working businesses.
Earlier this year, Cross Lanes scooped the North East regional award. After a further round of judging, the team can now add the national gong to their growing collection of titles.
Now in their 15th year the awards have become the definitive rural business award to win and are driven by public nomination, offering customers the chance to tell judges why their favourite businesses are worthy of national acclaim.
This year saw record numbers of nominations, with every entry being carefully reviewed by a team of judges. The categories for the Awards include: best butcher, best pub, best village shop, local food champions, and rural enterprise champions.
Due to the Covid- 19 pandemic, judging this year has been virtual and the organisation is celebrating the annual event with an online reception.
Countryside Alliance awards director Sarah Lee said: “ Our judges have had a particularly difficult time singling out winners from thousands and thousands of entries. These awards come at a time when many rural businesses are working around the clock to rebuild from the turmoil caused by Covid-19. They need our support now more than ever and I hope these well-earned titles reinforce just how important the victors are in their respective local communities.”
