On the evening of 15th December at the RSC’s The Other Place, Stratford MP Nadhim Zahawi hosted the awards ceremony for his annual Independent Shop Awards. Nominations for the awards were open between 24th October and 24th November, giving local people the opportunity to vote for their favourite businesses within the Stratford-on-Avon parliamentary constituency across the six available categories.

Nearly 3000 nominations were received in total. Out of these nominations, the top 5 were considered by an independent judging panel who chose a winner and two runners-up for each category. On the night, Mr Zahawi presented the successful businesses with their awards.

Commenting, Mr Zahawi said:

“It was a pleasure to host so many of the winners, runners-up, and nominees at The Other Place on Friday. As I have said before, I am always delighted to see the wide range of businesses my constituency has to offer and congratulate those who have been deemed the best by the public and an independent judging panel.

“I want to congratulate again all of this year’s winners and runners-up for the sterling service they evidently provide for their customers”.

The winner and two runners-up for each category were as follows:

Best Independent Shop

• Winner: Studley Fine Foods, 39 High Street, Studley, B80 7HN
• Second: Barry the Butcher, 6 Chapel Street, Stratford upon Avon, CV37 6EP
• Third: Taste of the Country, 2-4 Market Place, Shipston on Stour, CV36 4AG

Best Independent Hotel/B&B

• Winner: The Arden Hotel, Waterside, Stratford upon Avon, CV37 6BA
• Second: Stratford Limes Hotel, 41 Main Street, Tiddington, CV37 7AS
• Third: Avonlea Guesthouse, 47 Shipston Road, Stratford upon Avon, CV37 7LN

Best Independent Café

• Winner: Box Brownie, 20 Henley Street, Stratford upon Avon, CV37 6QW
• Second: Orangemabel, 59 High Street, Alcester, B49 5AF
• Third: Riverside Tea Garden, Stone Cottage, Swans Nest Lane, Stratford upon Avon, CV37 7LS

Best Independent Restaurant

• Winner: Salt, 8 Church Street, Stratford upon Avon, CV37 6HB
• Second: The Bridge, High Street, Bidford on Avon, B50 4BG
• Third: Aladdin’s Indian Dining, 4 Main Street, Tiddington, CV37 7AZ

Best Independent Pub

• Winner: The Stratford Alehouse, 12b Greenhill Street, Stratford upon Avon, CV37 6LF
• Second: The Crown at Tiddington, 14 Main Street, Tiddington, CV37 7AZ
• Third: The Turks Head, 4 High Street, Alcester, B49 5AD

Best Independent Village Shop

• Winner: Wilmcote Stores, 1 Aston Cantlow Road, Wilmcote, CV37 9XN
• Second: Snitterfield Village Stores, Smiths Lane, Snitterfield, CV37 0JY
• Third: Ilmington Community Shop, The Old Church, Grump Street, Ilmington,CV36 4LE