Alicia Kearns MP is pleased to announce the winners of her annual competition to find Rutland and Melton’s favourite independent shop. 

This year’s competition received 19,169 votes across 15 different categories. 

Gates Garden Centre was the overall winner with the highest number of total votes: 1,385. 

The awards seek not just to celebrate but to also help raise the profile of local independent businesses across Rutland, Melton, the Vale and Harborough villages. 

Category winners and runner ups: 

• Beauty, Pampering and Wellness - Winner: ORB Retreat, Uppingham, Joint runner ups: Beauty Box, Melton Mowbray and Hair at No 11, Melton Mowbray 

• Butcher – Winner: Derek Jones, Melton Mowbray, Runner up: Leeson Family Butchers, Oakham 

• Café - Winner: Welly’s Sunny Skies Community Café, Melton Mowbray, Runner up: Pizzini, Bottesford 

• Children and Babies – Winner: Inspirique Baby Photography, Melton Mowbray, Runner up: Kidzone, Melton Mowbray 

• Clothing and Accessories – Winner: Baubles and Bangles, Melton Mowbray, Runner up: Wiseguys and Wisegirls, Melton Mowbray 

• Craft and Hobby – Winner: Black Dragon Games, Melton Mowbray, Runner up: Wool Zone, Oakham 

• Farm and Produce – Winner: Hilltop Farm Shop, Melton Mowbray, Runner up: March House Farm Shop, Great Dalby 

• Food and Drink – Winner: Melton Cheeseboard, Melton Mowbray, Runner up: Otters Fine Foods, Oakham 

• Garden Centre – Winner: Gates Garden Centre, Cold Overton, Joint runner ups: Rutland Garden Centre, Ashwell Road, The Grange Garden Centre, Melton Mowbray and Rutland Nursery, Manton 

• Gifts and Stationery – Winner: Foxy Lots, Melton Mowbray, Runner up: Quirky Bird, Oakham  

• Homeware – Winner: Portess, Oakham, Runner up: D. Norton & Son, Uppingham 

• Music and records – Winner: Icon Music, Melton Mowbray, Runner Up: Rocka-Buy Records, Oakham 

• Pharmacy – Winner: Rutland Late Night Pharmacy, Oakham, Runner up: Daynight Pharmacy, Melton Mowbray 

• Village Shop – Winner: Squirrel Stores, Long Clawson, Joint runner ups: Whissending Village Shop and Medbourne Village Shop

• Special Commendation – Melton Sports, Melton Mowbray and Knights of Oakham, Oakham 

• Overall winner: Gates Garden Centre, Cold Overton 

Alicia Kearns, MP for Rutland and Melton said: 

“I have been absolutely blown away by our communities' support for our local independent shops. We are so lucky to have such an incredible number of wonderful independent shops at the heart of so many of our communities. It has been a joy to celebrate them through this year’s awards, so thank you to everyone who took the time to vote. I’m already looking forward to see what next year’s awards have in store."