1. Best Local Food Category: SW Doughty, Kent. NATIONAL COMMENDATION
2. Best Shop / PO Category: Appledore Village Shop, Kent.
3. Best Diversification Category: Jolly Farmers Food Emporium, Surrey. NATIONAL WINNERS
4. Best Traditional Business Category: Showing Time Tailoring, Kent.  1. Best Local Food Category: SW Doughty, Kent. NATIONAL COMMENDATION
The Street
Doddington
Nr Faversham
Kent
ME9 0BH
www.swdoughty.co.uk
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01795 886255
Michelle Nudds, Regional Director for the South East and leader of the local judging panel says: “The Doughty family are rightly proud of selling high quality meat and produce from (very) local farms, including eggs, milk, cream, cheeses, and preserves, along with local fruit and vegetables to match the season (something that should be encouraged elsewhere). Their geese are reared in their own orchard next to the shop where they can be seen roaming around under the trees. They have been in the business for three generations and run their own slaughterhouse, the only one in the Borough. They also slaughter animals for local farmers. Their award-winning sausages are a particular speciality and no community event is complete without a Doughty’s burger or hot dog.”
2. Best Shop / PO Category: Appledore Village Shop, Kent.
The Street
Appledore
Ashford
Kent
TN 26 2AF
Michelle says: “Since taking over the stores a little while ago, they have reversed what appeared to be a dying shop and post office. Now customers can buy fresh local produce and greater selections than were available before. Jan and David have charm and vigour, they also have made a point of employing a local workforce and the shop is now open 7 days a week with later evening opening times. Jan has joined the Parish Plan Committee as minute secretary and David offers a delivery service, especially for the elderly. They are a breath of fresh air and so now is the shop in fact it could be described as a meeting place - just the way it should be.”
 3. Best Diversification Category: Jolly Farmers Food Emporium, Surrey. NATIONAL WINNERS
Reigate Road
Buckland
Betchworth
Surrey
RH13 6TD
01737 221355
http://food-emporium.co.uk/jollyfarmers/index.html
Michelle says: “Paula and John, the owners, took over the Jolly Farmers two years ago and have transformed the dark, mundane pub into a clean smart operation consisting of a pub, restaurant and farm-shop / delicatessen into one fantastic operation. Because the restaurant uses the same local foods (all explained on the menu) the shop is always alive with fresh local products many of which I simply would not have known about if it were not for the fact of eating them within the restaurant and then finding them in the shop – It really has opened my eyes to the amazing range of products which are around my own locality, and of course always fresh due to the method of using the foods on the menu too.”
4. Best Traditional Business Category: Showing Time Tailoring, Kent.
Cherry Trees
Norton Lane
Bethersden
Ashford
Kent
TN26 3AL
www.showingtime.co.uk
01233 822006
Michelle says: “they offer a very professional and friendly service where nothing is too much trouble for Kate and her team. They are always eager to help and offer advice, and they will always try to obtain goods when required, even if they don't stock them. It takes courage to make hunt coats and to start a small business in the current political climate and their quality and design is outstanding. Our rural heritage has a future thanks to businesses like this.”
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