The people of Bradford, famous as the curry capital of the north and brimful with shops and retail outlets, have voted a farm shop on the outskirts of the city as their favourite hospitality and retail business.
Keelham Farm Shop in Thornton has been chosen as Retail or Hospitality Business of the Year in awards run by its local daily paper, the Telegraph & Argus.
Nominations were submitted by readers, among them Keelham’s customers and suppliers. The award was accepted by business partners and directors, brother and sister James and Victoria Robertshaw.
Victoria said: ’This accolade means so much to us, as there are literally thousands of retail and hospitality-related businesses across the Bradford district. For a farm shop to be picked as the number one retail or hospitality business is a tremendous coup.
’It also clearly demonstrates today’s changing shopping trends and how important local, great tasting food is to consumers. More and more people are re-evaluating the whole way they shop. These evolving attitudes and behaviours have led to farm shops like ourselves increasing in popularity because of the quality and value we are able to offer.
’Our core values at Keelham are unique and differentiate us from other food retailers. We are one of the most successful and progressive farm shops in the country ’ for us, making shopping both interesting and fun are keynote aims. It’s all about doing things differently ’ the Keelham way.’
Keelham Farm Shop has excelled in the awards arena over the past 12 months, culminating at the beginning of this year with a prestigious national honour when the business was chosen as Non-Multiple Retailer of the Year in the British Food and Farming Industry Awards, presented in the House of Commons.
Among those who nominated Keelham Farm Shop for its latest award was Jeremy Eaton, general manager of Skipton Auction Mart, from whom Keelham regularly buys prime cattle and lambs, many show champions and prize winners among them.
Mr Eaton said: ’Keelham shares our keynote aim of supporting local farming communities and the shop’s philosophy of doing business with hundreds of local and Yorkshire food and drink suppliers and producers - many regional farmers and other specialist small, family-run providers among them - can be held up as a shining example of best practice.
’Keelham Farm Shop is a true showcase for all that’s best in Yorkshire. They have a real passion for everything they serve and only the best will suffice. They fully deserve an award of this nature.’
