Knitsley Farm Shop has been shortlisted in the Local Food category for the North of England Regional Finals of the 2023 Countryside Alliance Awards.
The awards celebrate British food and farming, enterprise and heritage. Now in their 16th year, they are set apart from other schemes as they are driven by public nomination, offering customers the chance to say why their favourite businesses are worthy of national acclaim. This year, more than 17,000 nominations were submitted from across the UK.
Knitsley Farm Shop & Granary Café was established nearly 15 years ago by husband-and-wife team Edward and Rachael Jewson, on the family farm just outside of Consett in Co. Durham. Renovating redundant farm buildings, they created a farm shop and café, showcasing the farm’s produce and locally sourced meats. Having started with just six members of staff and worked with local businesses to provide baked goods, the business has since invested in on-site production facilities – including a bakery producing breads and patisserie, a pie production department, and a butchery. Along with a kitchen expansion, the business grew to employ 46 members of staff before Covid. Since reopening in full, Edward and Rachael have continued to develop the business and they are currently working on a ‘Cyclists’ Barn’, which overlooks the valley and will welcome cyclists, dog walkers and families to a comfortable, heated and spacious new area where they can enjoy the best of the shop and café.
Rachael said: “We are absolutely thrilled to be shortlisted for this award – particularly as it comes from public nominations. We have always been passionate about local food, short food chains and supporting small producers, alongside larger national producers to meet consumer demand. Our greatest pride has been developing our home-produced range over the years, which not only showcases our great products but has also provided greater employment for local people in the rural economy. We hope new facilities on site will allow more people to enjoy our wonderful location next to a local walkway and we can continue to inform and educate people about the importance of small, local food chains particularly in light of recent world events. We have our fingers crossed for the public vote in February.”
Countryside Alliance Awards director Sarah Lee said: “We have been overwhelmed by nominations this year. The secret to the Rural Oscars’ popularity is that they honour the people involved in these businesses and not just their produce or services. They exist to sing the praises of those who work hard to keep our communities and rural economy ticking, but don’t seek the spotlight. These awards provide a cause for celebration in a time of great uncertainty in the countryside. Our local produce is second to none and there are many community heroes and businesses worthy of national recognition.”
Winners will be chosen via a public vote in February and announced in the spring. The winners in each region will then go head-to-head, with the national champions set to be announced at the House of Lords in May.
