The Best Rural Retailers in the North East have been declared in the Countryside Alliance’s third annual competition. These exceptional winners will now represent the best of the region as they vie for a national title against winners from the rest of the UK.

Best Local Food Category: The Country Barn, Widdrington, Northumberland. Richard Dodd, Regional Director for the North East and leader of the local judging panel says: “One nomination describes the Country Barn as having ‘put Widdrington Village on the map…. walking into this shop takes your breath away.’ The commitment to quality local produce coupled with the determination to give the community something it had been lacking makes the Country Barn a worthy winner in this category – it is clearly a hit with its loyal customers.”
Widdrington Farm
Widdrington Village
Morpeth
Northumberland
NE61 5EA
01670 760181
www.thecountrybarn.co.uk
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Best Shop / PO Category: Allendale Co-Operative Society, Northumberland. Richard says: “Allendale Co-op got dozens of nominations, with special praise singling out the fact that the staff’s cheerful attitude makes it the heart of the community. Yes, this place has everything you might need, but anyone can own a well-stocked shop. It takes more than that to achieve the level of popularity that Allendale Co-op has, and in an era where village shops are increasingly threatened it is great to see Allendale really celebrating and appreciating what a small shop can bring to a community.“
Allendale Co-operative Society
Market Square
Allendale
Northumberland
NE47 9BD
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01434 683209

Best Diversification Category: Piercebridge Organic Farm Shop & Cafe, Darlington. NATIONAL COMMENDATION. Richard says: “This is a wonderful diversification and shows what hard work and determination can do. Chris and Liz Hodgson have turned a conventional farm into an organic farm shop which sells exceptional produce, inspired by their son starting an “egg business” by taking eggs from his own free range hens round the village while at primary school. This has grown into a busy, thriving enterprise and is a credit to the strength and initiative of the farming community in the North East.”
Piercebridge Organic Farm shop
Piercebridge Farm
Piercebridge
Darlington
County Durham
DL2 3SE  
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01325 374251

Best Traditional Business Category: Tully’s of Rothbury, Northumberland. Richard says: “This is a standard bearer for the small, independent family run business. It is as much about people as produce and customer service is at the heart of the enterprise. It sells the best produce you can imagine and many customers told us how refreshing it is that many ‘obscure’ products are available at Tully’s – blue potatoes are certainly worthy of comment” Sue and Rich’s support for the local farming community is also a huge part of their popularity, and I am delighted to declare them the North East’s winners in 2007.”
Tully's of Rothbury
High Street
Rothbury
Morpeth
Northumberland
NE65 7TL
01669 620574