Three Cumbrian retailers win top gongs in Farm Shop and Deli Retailer Awards 2024

Three Cumbrian businesses have won top awards in the Farm Shop and Deli Retailer Awards 2024.

The Regional Winner of the awards was Lovingly Artisan Bakery based in Kendal. As the Regional Winner, they fought off competition from the North East, North West and Yorkshire and the Humber and also won the top overall prize, Retailer of the Year.

Lovingly Artisan Bakery is a small sourdough bakery located on Crook Road in Kendal. Founded by award-winning baker Aidan Monks, the bakery works with local farmers and millers to source the best flour and use heritage-grain flours for breads "good for the tummy, good for the soil and good for the soul".

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However, if you don't like near the bakery or you have no plans to visit, you can still enjoy the award-winning sourdough bread in the comfort of your own home through their subscription boxes. Also showcasing some of Cumbria's fine food are the winners in the butcher category, Roast Mutton in Kendal.

Located on Woolpack Yard, Roast Mutton opened its doors in July 2021 as a "true nose to tail butchery". Owner Robert Unwin was brought up on a north Lancashire small holding where his family produced their own meat and Robert learnt about humane animal husbandry.

Having spent a lot of time in the Lake District as a child, Robert brought his vision for farm-to-table eating into the area and now sells only locally-reared native and heritage breeds.

Bell's Fishmonger also bagged the top gong in the fishmonger category, beating off other competition from the North East, North West and Yorkshire and the Humber. Located in Kingstown, Carlisle, Bell's Fishmongers has been supplying fresh fish and seafood since 1970.

Their large selection of fish and game is all sourced and delivered to the fishmongers within 24 to 36 hours of being caught and can be at your door within 48 hours. Being located in Carlisle is beneficial to the business as they can have "the pick of the crop and offer the best range of quality, fresh fish around".

Also being near the Scottish border means they are able to source products from Scotland, England and the Shetland Islands for the best Shetland mussels and fish in the UK.