Awards 2009 Home

NEWS RELEASE: CHATSWORTH ESTATE DECLARED BRITISH FARM RETAILER OF THE YEAR

Farm Retailer of the Year 2009 sponsored by:
	Gordon Wilson (Chair of Judges), Sara Sweetland, Andre Birkett, Sue Lumb, Nigel Bogle (LCCS), Stuart Beare (FARMA)
Best On-farm Butchery 2009 sponsored by:
	Mick Wall (Bizerba), Andre Birkett

Staff at Chatsworth Farm Shop and Restaurant in Pilsley, Derbyshire, are celebrating national success after being crowned Farm Retailer of the Year and Best On-farm Butchery in the prestigious National Farmers' Retail & Markets Association (FARMA) awards 2009. The decision was announced at the FARMA National Conference in Newcastle earlier this week.

Andre Birkett, farm shop manager said, "I am thrilled to receive these prestigious awards on behalf of the farm shop staff, the farms and producers on the Chatsworth estate, and all our local and national producers. It's a great honour to win, as the awards are assessed by fellow farm retailers and people who really understand the sector, who recognise and celebrate the individuality of farm shops."

The Farm Retailer of the Year Award recognises excellence in marketing, management and retailing, as well as a commitment to environmentally sustainable farming and production of food. The judges felt that Chatsworth farm shop had found a winning combination with an exemplary retail site that after 30 years of trading has maintained its connection to the surrounding land.

Chairman of the judges, Gordon Wilson, congratulated Chatsworth on their achievement, "I am absolutely delighted for everyone at Chatsworth who has worked so hard and deserves to win both these awards. People sometimes find it hard to believe that an estate shop can be so authentic in its commitment to local sourcing and the environment. What they don't always realise is that Chatsworth has been doing this for years, and it is the rest of retail who are catching up with them."

Chatsworth farm shop is an outstanding retail outlet. The business fills the estate courtyard with its beautifully presented farm shop, including a full in-store butchery, bakery, delicatessen, fishmonger and restaurant. It has taken time to reach this scale of success, however. The farm shop began life in 1977 in a 20 foot square converted tack room opened by the then Duchess of Devonshire as a means of selling meat and dairy from the estate's farms to the public. Chatsworth growth has been marked by this commitment to own produce, and the support of small local businesses, which is perhaps why today Chatsworth can be such a sizeable outlet with the integrity so often associated with smaller enterprises. More than 60% of sales still come from goods produced on the estate, and almost everything else comes from within the British Isles. Even the fish is mostly wild from in-shore British waters.

The butchery counter is Chatsworth's star attraction. It sells beef, lamb and pork from the estate, plus venison and pheasant in season. The friendly and experienced butchers can be viewed at work behind the glass screens, and advise customers on the huge range of cuts and prepared meats on display. The judges were particularly impressed by the 'superb quality and variety' of the meat. The restaurant also incorporates the farm's produce in its creative and seasonal menu.

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For more information and photos:
Chatsworth farm shop & restaurant, Pilsley, Bakewell, Derbyshire, DE45 1UF
Contact: Jenny Welch Tel: 01246 565300 # 545 www.chatsworth.org

FARMA, Rita Exner or Gareth Jones: 0845 45 88 420 www.farma.org.uk

Notes to Editors:
The National Farmers' Retail & Markets Association (FARMA) is a 700-strong farmer-owned co-operative that represents and supports direct sales to the consumer in all its forms: farm shops, pick-your-own farms, farmers' markets, box schemes and internet sales. It sets standards for farmers' markets with an independent inspection and Certification mark to ensure that they are genuine farmers' markets; and works to improve retailing and marketing skills throughout the industry. The FARMA Awards have been running since 2002.