A farm shop was named the best in the UK in the Farm & Deli Awards 2024.
Welbeck Farm Shop sells fresh fruit and vegetables, locally-sourced meat from the Welbeck Estate itself, and loaves and pastries from the bakehouse within the grounds.
In total, more than 70 per cent of the produce sold there is sourced or prepared on the estate and produce is also used by chefs in the adjacent Harley Cafe.
The farm shop won the title UK Large Farm Shop of the Year and Midlands Retailer of the Year after being visited by a mystery shopper.
General manager Oliver Stubbins said: “We are overwhelmed with joy to have been awarded UK Large Farm Shop of the Year.
“The UK has an incredible farm shop industry, and we are delighted that after being shortlisted and mystery shopped by a previous winner, a panel of industry experts chose
Welbeck for this prestigious award — and we also picked up Midlands Retailer of the Year.
“We are privileged to work with amazing colleagues and suppliers, and we all thoroughly enjoy sourcing the best food and interacting with our wonderful visitors and friends at the shop and cafe. Thank you to all those who’ve supported us along our journey.”
Welbeck beat Forage Farm Shop & Kitchen, Cowbridge, Wales, and High Street Harvest, Craigavon, Northern Ireland. Experts judged the entries online before meeting in November to shortlist the contenders. During January and February, secret visits took place.
Welbeck Farm Shop has previously been crowned Midlands and East of England Butcher’s Shop of the Year 2022 and was named best small farm shop at the Farm Shop and Deli Awards in 2020.