The Best Rural Retailer competition is a UK-wide Countryside Alliance initiative aimed at celebrating rural communities through its retailers, food, traditions and skills. The competition is nomination led and will open to nominations from 2nd July at www.bestruralretailer.co.uk . It will be possible to nominate online and on-stand at key shows over the summer, such as the Game Fair, the Great Yorkshire, Scotland’s Countryside Festival at Glamis and the Royal Welsh.

Countryside Alliance Chief Executive Simon Hart, who leads the national judging panel which also includes environmentalist Zac Goldsmith and Rural Tsar Stuart Burgess, commented: “This competition has been a massive success for rural Britain as it is the only competition in the UK that is celebrating people and communities as well as produce and skills. Last year it reached over 18 million people through the media and we received over 2,000 votes, which is a tribute to the passion and loyalty people feel towards their retailers.

“If you care about your community and you know of a retailer who is an ambassador for it, then it is vital that you nominate and help us to gain an accurate snapshot of rural life in 2007. Last year’s winners have reported a wonderful feel-good factor within their village, they have enjoyed the press attention and, perhaps most significantly, their takings have increased. This competition is great for all of us, and it remains true that the bigger the noise we can make about rural Britain, the better. Unity and determination are key to our communities and this competition helps a positive rural story be heard.”

Notes..

• Nominations will be accepted from 2nd July – 6th October at www.bestruralretailer.co.uk and at shows across the country (where the Countryside Alliance has a presence).
• Regional winners will be announced by Christmas, national winners will be announced at a House of Lords reception in early 2008, to which all regional winners will be invited.
• Previous winners are eligible to be nominated again
• Details of previous winners, the rules, the judges and the history of the competition can be found at www.bestruralretailer.co.uk . Photos and logos are available
• Categories are: