Cheese Etc, The Pangbourne Cheese Shop, has been crowned Best Retailer in the Cheesemonger category and Best Retailer South England at the 2024 Farm Shop & Deli Retailer Awards.
Cheese Etc in Pangbourne, Berkshire, has beaten competition from across the UK and Northern Ireland to be named Cheesemonger of the Year at the 2024 Farm Shop & Deli Retailer Awards, in partnership with The Grocer and championed by Fieldfare.
Following a comprehensive judging process, the cheesemonger scooped their awards at the finals ceremony on Monday 29th April at the annual Farm Shop & Deli Show, NEC Birmingham. The Awards saw 11 category winners, seven regional winners, Newcomer of the Year and Retailer of the Year revealed to an audience comprising fellow finalists as well as show visitors and exhibitors, all there to cheer on the proceedings.
Beating three other cheesemongers in the finals, the judges praised Cheeses Etc with comments including:
“A business that is wholly committed to supporting its community and the welfare of its staff. It’s also clear that sustainability is a front runner in this entry.”
“I really like this entry. not least because of the community involvement and making steps towards sustainability. The website is very easy to navigate too. Nice staff commendations provided.”
“Great range, obvious commitment to the environment and appears to be a much-loved local shop.”
Jen from Cheese Etc had this to say on receiving the two awards, “This comes as a complete, yet amazing, surprise. We enter the awards each year but never expect to win as the competition is always so fierce. I just have to give our whole team a huge, big thank you as they are the driving force behind our success. The fact this is judged by previous winners makes it really special. I think our community focus really shines through in all that we do as well as our commitment to offering free local delivery around Reading, Newbury & Thatcham. We try and make ourselves as accessible to our customers as possible. I love every aspect of my job and, to be honest, I’m chuffed to bits with these awards!”
More about the judging process
A team of leading experts judged the entries online before coming together last November to deliberate and shortlist the contenders. During January and February secret visits took place before the winners, and overall Retailer of the Year, were decided.
The coveted accolades celebrate the best specialist independent retailers with judges recognising retailers’ achievements in the independent sector.
Nigel Barden, Chairman of Judges and Food and Drink Journalist and Broadcaster, says: “With food and drink retailers being busy people I’m always delighted they find time to enter the Farm Shop & Deli Awards and it’s gratifying to know that the awards are held in such high esteem. The quality of our judges certainly helps, particularly as a good number of them are former Retailers of the Year, so right at the top of their game and because much time is spent visiting our shortlisted entrants. I’m delighted we’ve awarded category and regional winners. All in all, another year of fabulous entries, reflecting how vibrant the artisan food and drink retail sector is.”
Award champions Fieldfare extend their support
This year the Awards are championed by Fieldfare, a family-owned business based in Kent that started over 40 years ago. Fieldfare supplies delicious premium loose frozen food to farm shops, garden centres and independent stores across the UK and a perfect partner for the Retailer Awards.Following the success of the 2024 Retailer Awards, we’re excited to announce Fieldfare will be championing the Awards for the next three years and we hear why from Matt Whelan, Managing Director at Fieldfare; “It is an honour to be involved in these important awards and to meet so many of the incredibly passionate and dedicated people behind the businesses that entered this year. We have been impressed by the exceptionally high quality of the entries and look forward to supporting our industry colleagues by continuing to champion the Farm Shop and Deli Retail Awards again next year, and beyond.”
