Cowdray Farm Shop Ltd is a finalist in the national Rural Business Awards.

Cowdray Farm Shop & Café is one of only five businesses selected from applicants across the country to be shortlisted for the ‘Best Rural Food and Drink Business’.

Competing against nearly three times as many entries as last year, the Cowdray Farm Shop & Café is the only business in the South-East of England to be nominated in this category. The winner is due to be announced on Thursday 5^th October at Denbies Wine Estate in Surrey.

The other nominees are Berkshire based Cobbs Farm Co. Ltd, Jolly Nice Ltd, located in Frampton Mansell, Gloucestershire, Mash Direct from Northern Ireland and Yorkshire based poultry company T. Soanes and Son.

The judges were looking for innovative food & drink businesses, brands or products, that are leading the way and pushing the boundaries of what being a ‘traditional’ British producer, supplier or retailer means. They also wanted businesses that had a commitment to promoting ‘The Best of British’, using sustainable quality ingredients and skills based approaches to production as well as developing a commercially successful business.

Rupert Titchmarsh, General Manager of the Cowdray Farm Shop & Café, said: “We are thrilled to be nominated for this prestigious national award. We are proud of the contribution that we make to our thriving rural local economy through being a large employer in the area, supporting local businesses and by attracting visitors to this beautiful part of the country.

“I am delighted that our team’s hard work and dedication to sourcing high-quality sustainable products has been recognised nationally. Fingers crossed that we win in October!”