Nominations sought for ‘Rural Oscars’, as Stuart Anderson MP Champions Local Businesses across South Shropshire
Nominations are being sought for a highly popular awards ceremony known as the ‘Rural Oscars.’ The Countryside Alliance Awards celebrate the contribution of community-minded businesses to rural prosperity, a key theme championed by Stuart Anderson MP who is encouraging nominations from South Shropshire. Now in their 18th year, the Awards highlight the very best of rural businesses in Britain.
With 5.5 million of them, almost every business in the country is a small business. They support 27 million jobs and account for £4.5 trillion of annual turnover. Convenience stores in South Shropshire provide jobs for 928 people, with 82% of independent retailers across the West Midlands taking part in some form of community engagement. A whole host of these businesses will be recognised by the Countryside Alliance Awards, which shines a spotlight on their dedicated efforts to helping rural Britain.
The annual awards are now open to public nomination. Stuart is calling on residents across South Shropshire to nominate the unsung heroes in local businesses who go the extra mile and who should be recognised for their hard work, community focus, and dedicated efforts to ensure that rural Britain’s food and farming industry, small businesses, traditional skills, forward-thinking enterprises, and, most of all, its people, can flourish.
The nominations phase opened on Monday 9th September 2024 and will close on Sunday 17th November 2024. Residents can nominate as many businesses as they like across six categories. A public vote will be opened to choose Champions. Winners are chosen by a carefully selected panel of judges who use questionnaires sent in by finalists to help make their decision. A grand final will then take place in the Summer of 2025 at the House of Lords.
Thousands of businesses have already been honoured for their contribution in recent years. Winners have said the Awards has given them a voice, platform, and that the 'feel-good' factor cannot be overestimated. Nominated by the public, the Awards recognise and honour those who routinely go the extra mile for their community.
Stuart Anderson MP said:
“Delivering rural prosperity is all about unlocking opportunities for continued growth and development in areas like South Shropshire. It is an integral part of my plan as the Member of Parliament. From our fantastic farms to the thriving local breweries, coffee shops, and restaurants in the towns, as well as tourist attractions like the stunning Ludlow Castle, South Shropshire is already full of optimism for the future. The Countryside Alliance Awards are an excellent way to recognise the hard work, community focus, and dedicated efforts of those unsung heroes in our communities and enterprises who keep rural Britain thriving. So, I am calling on residents across South Shropshire to nominate them today for a rural oscar!"
Nominations are open online at www.countryside-alliance.org/awards.
The 6 categories are:
- Local Food/Drink – Have they put the community on the map via the quality and diversity of local produce sold?
- Village Shop/ Post Office – Are they the cornerstone of the village and breathed life into the community and local economy?
- Butcher – Is traditional butchery at the heart of the enterprise or have they brought a modern twist to this ancient skill?
- Rural Enterprise – Is this business a growing asset to its community and making a real contribution?
- Pub – Would winning this competition reward a really special enterprise and tell a positive story about rural life while championing local food and drink?
- Clarissa Dickson Wright Award – this Award centres on her belief in campaigning, educating and prioritising slow food, taste, quality and support for our farmers and producers.
