Alicia Kearns MP is pleased to announce the winners and runners up of Rutland and Melton's Favourite Independent Shop Awards 2023-4.

This year's competition received 20,278 votes across 13 different categories.

Hilltop Farm Shop was named as the overall winner with the highest number of total votes.

The awards seek not just to celebrate, but to also help raise the profile of local independent businesses across Rutland, Melton, the Vale and Harborough villages.

Eatablished clothing and brand outlet, Cavells was named in the awards. Image credit: Alicia Kearns MP.

Category winners and runners up are as follows:

1. Beauty, pampering and wellness

• Winner: Glow Hair Studio, Oakham
• Runner up: Beauty Box, Melton Mowbray

2. Butcher

• Winner: Derek Jones Butchers Ltd, Melton Mowbray
• Runner up: Leeson Family Butchers, Oakham

3. Cafe

• Winner: Pizzini Coffee Shop, Bottesford
• Runner Up: The Welcome Cafe at Hollands Nurseries, Twyford

4. Clothing and accessories

• Winner: Cavells, Oakham
• Runner up: Baubles and Bangles, Melton Mowbray

5. Craft and hobby

• Winner: Wool Zone, Oakham
• Runner up: Black Dragon Games, Melton Mowbray

Wool Zone on Oakham's Church Street has been recognised. Image credit: Alicia Kearns MP.

6. Farm and produce

• Winner: Hilltop Farm Shop, Melton Mowbray
• Runner up: Farmer Lou, Barnsdale Avenue

7. Food and Drink

• Winner: Hambleton Bakery, Oakham
• Runner Up: The Melton Cheeseboard, Melton Mowbray

8. Garden

• Winner: Gates Garden Centre, Cold Overton
• Runner up: The Grange Garden Centre, Asfordby

9. Gifts and stationery

• Winner: Foxy Lots, Melton Mowbray
• Runner up: Quirky Bird Gifts, Oakham

10. Homeware

• Winner: Katie Cardew, Oakham
• Runner up: Goodwin and Belle, Uppingham

Katie Cardew was another Oakham winner. Image credit: Alicia Kearns MP.

11. Pharmacy

• Winner: Rutland Late Night Pharmacy, Oakham
• Runner up: Day Night Pharmacy, Melton Mowbray

12. Village Shop

• Winner: Squirrel Stores, Long Clawson
• Runner up: Barrowden and Wakerley Community Shop

13. Special Commendation:

• Melton Sports, Melton Mowbray
• Secret Garden Tattoo, Melton Mowbray

Alicia Kearns, Member of Parliament for Rutland and Melton, said:

"I just love our wonderful independent shops, and we are so fortunate to have so many. But they need us too, especially at this slower time of the year, and my Rutland and Melton's Favourite Independent Shop Awards is my small way of playing my part in supporting them.

"Thank you to our communities for the 20,000 votes cast to show how much you want to support our independent shops too - congratulations to everyone nominated and our winners."

Last year's awards also saw Oakham and Rutland businesses recognised, while Gates Garden Centre was the overall winner for 2022-23.