The winners of MP Alicia Kearns's Favourite Independent Shop 2022 competition have been announced.

On 10 February 2023, Rutland and Melton MP Alicia Kearns visited the local shops who were recognised in her annual competition, Rutland and Melton's Favourite Independent Shop.

Today, Monday 13 February Alicia Kearns has released the full list of winners.

This year's competition received 19,169 votes across 15 different categories.

Gates Garden Centre was the overall winner with the highest number of total votes: 1,385.

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.

Oakham's Portess were also recognised. Image credit: Alicia Kearns.

Category winners and runner ups are as follows:

Beauty, Pampering and Wellness

Winner: ORB Retreat, Uppingham

Joint runner ups: Beauty Box, Melton Mowbray and Hair at No 11, Melton Mowbray

Butcher 

Winner: Derek Jones, Melton Mowbray

Runner up: Leeson Family Butchers, Oakham

Cafe

Winner: Welly's Sunny Skies Community Café, Melton Mowbray

Runner up: Pizzini, Bottesford

Children and Babies

Winner: Inspirique Baby Photography, Melton Mowbray

Runner up: Kidzone, Melton Mowbray

Winner: Baubles and Bangles, Melton Mowbray

Runner up: Wiseguys/girls, Melton Mowbray

Craft and Hobby

Winner: Black Dragon Games, Melton Mowbray

Runner up: Wool Zone, Oakham

Farm and Produce

Winner: Hilltop Farm Shop, Melton Mowbray

Runner up: March House Farm Shop, Great Dalby

Winner: Melton Cheeseboard, Melton Mowbray

Runner up: Otters Fine Foods, Oakham

Garden Centre 

Winner: Gates Garden Centre, Cold Overton

Joint runner ups: Rutland Garden Centre, Ashwell Road, The Grange Garden Centre, Melton Mowbray and Rutland Nursery, Manton

Rutland Garden Village. Image credit: Alicia Kearns.

Winner: Foxy Lots, Melton Mowbray

Runner up: Quirky Bird, Oakham 

Homeware 

Winner: Portess, Oakham

Runner up: D. Norton & Son, Uppingham

Music and records

Winner: Icon Music, Melton Mowbray

Runner Up: Rocka-Buy Records, Oakham

Inside Rocka-Buy Records, The Maltings. Image credit: Alicia Kearns.

Pharmacy 

Winner: Rutland Late Night Pharmacy, Oakham

Runner up: Daynight Pharmacy, Melton Mowbray

Village Shop 

Winner: Squirrel Stores, Long Clawson

Joint runner ups: Mace Village Shop, Whissendine and Medbourne Village Shops and Post Office, Medbourn

Melton Sports, Melton Mowbray and Knights of Oakham, Oakham

Overall winner

Gates Garden Centre, Cold Overton

Alicia Kearns presenting the Gates team with their award. Image credit: Alicia Kearns.

Alicia Kearns, MP for Rutland and Melton said: "I have been absolutely blown away by our communities' support for our local independent shops. We are so lucky to have such an incredible number of wonderful independent shops at the heart of so many of our communities. It has been a joy to celebrate them through this year's awards, so thank you to everyone who took the time to vote. I'm already looking forward to see what next year's awards have in store."