Best Small Shops Competition 2015

Twenty of Britain's Best Small Shops descended on Parliament on the 25th February 2015 to see who had been crowned the overall Best Small Shop in the UK.

Simon Danczuk MP, the Chairman of the All Party Small Shops Group at the time, revealed the winner and said: "I am pleased to announce that Hunters of Helmsley, a delicatessen in North Yorkshire, is the Winner of the Best Small Shop Competition 2015. Hunters of Helmsley was chosen by the judges for its local sourcing of produce, organisation of events to support their high street and their use of social media to engage customers."

Hunters of Helmsley was established in 1990, and has been owned since 2008 by Chris and Christine Garnett. They both come from Yorkshire farming families, and state they are passionate about how and where food is produced.

The Judges also gave highly recommended awards to NISA Local, Toddington, a convenience store, and The Main Street Trading Company, a bookshop and delicatessen in St. Boswells.

The Judging Panel said: "We were impressed and delighted by both the number and calibre of the submissions from retailers for the Award. We were all humbled by their energy, impressed by their commitment and in awe of the extent to which the best are embedded in their communities. There is no doubt that independent retail is in the hands of creative, innovative, business-savvy individuals who are committed to making their local high street a better place. We congratulate all the shortlisted businesses and thank all the retailers who took the time to showcase their shops."

The judging of the Best Small Shops Competition took place throughout February 2015 and was based on the shop's entrepreneurial activities, their work within the community and innovation in their business.