Mells Village Shop wins Rural Oscar

Story posted on March 13, 2013

MELLS Village Shop Ltd has won the 2012 Countryside Alliance Village Shop Award (also known as the ‘Rural Oscars’) in the South West.  

This prestigious prize is awarded for commitment to the community, the rural economy and the countryside.  As a regional champion the community run shop now goes forward to the final with the chance of winning the UK and Ireland title.  Mells Village Shop will be competing against 10 fellow regional winners from across the UK.

The UK & Ireland Champion will be selected by a specialist judging panel chaired by Countryside Alliance executive chairman Barney White-Spunner and includes secretary of state for environment, food & rural affairs Owen Paterson and TV cook Clarissa Dickson Wright.  The winner will be announced at a Rural Oscars winners’ reception at the House of Lords on Wednesday 13th March.

David Sheridan, chairman of Mells Village Shop Ltd said, “This prestigious award is worthy recognition of the tremendous job done by Mike Phypers, our shop manager, Vicky Bratt, café manager, and by staff members, volunteers and our supporters in the community.  Their hard work has been central to the success story of Mells Village Shop and Café and the management team and I are extremely proud of their achievements.”

Mells Village Shop and Post Office opened at Easter 2009 following a community wide funding campaign; the newly built café followed in Easter 2011 with the aim of providing a focal point for tourists, visitors and the residents of Mells and surrounding villages.