26 October 2007, 15:04 PM

  • Three rural retailers from Suffolk have been shortlisted in a Countryside Alliance competition.

Otley Village Shop, Marlesford Farm Café and Hudgies Hardware have all made it through to the regional shortlist to find the Best Rural Retailer.

Otley Village Shop near Ipswich has made it into the Best Village Shop/Post Office category, while Marlesford Farm Café and Foodmarket is vying for the Best Diversification title.

Hudgies Hardware store in Clare high street, near Sudbury, is a regional finalist in the Daily Telegraph Best Traditional Business section.

Also included is La Hogue Farm Shop and Delicatessen at Chippenham in Cambridgeshire, which is among four regional finalists in the Best Local Food Category, alongside Steeplegate Lamb and Beef, of Steeple, Southminster, Essex.

The awards, now in their third year, are aimed at celebrating rural communities and retailers who promote local produce, skills, enterprise and rural life.

Over 2,500 nominations were received and have been whittled down to 200 regional finalists, 15 of which are in the East of England. The regional winners will be announced in December.

“Our shortlisted categories are exactly what this competition is about: diversity, warmth, dedication and a passion for community and the countryside,” said Countryside Alliance eastern regional director, Alice Barnard.