We are proud to announce that Hampstead Norreys Community Shop and Café is a regional finalist in this prestigious award. Customers voted for us (thank you!) and we are one of four businesses in the South-East to reach the final in the category village shop/post office (even though we don’t have a post office).

The next stage is to complete paperwork showing what is special about our shop – the challenge there is not what to write but what to leave out – there is so much we can say about the range of activities that take place. A visit from the Countryside Alliance judges will occur in the Spring, and then (drum roll) we will find out if we get through to the final. Only nine regional champions from five categories will be invited to Parliament for the national finals and just five will be crowned national rural champions.

We are keeping our fingers crossed, and hope you will too!