Countryside Alliance Awards recognises Borders businesses
Nine of the Borders best businesses have been nominated for the ‘Rural Oscars’.
The very best of Scottish rural businesses have been short-listed for the prestigious Countryside Alliance Awards.
Thousands of nominations from across Scotland have been whittled down to a final thirty – with almost a third from the Borders.
The short-listed businesses are Briggsy’s Quality Butchers in Roxburghshire; Allanton Inn, Berwickshire; Buccleuch Arms, St Boswells; The Blackadder Bar and Restaurant, Berwickshire; The Gordon Arms, Berwickshire; Fine Feathers, Jedburgh; Ancrum Pantry; Oxton Community Shop and Broughton Village Store.
Customers and patrons can now take part in a public vote to support their favourites.
The champions will then be announced in Edinburgh at Rooftops, the National Museum of Scotland, on May 20.
The successful businesses will then go forward to the next round, competing against winners from across the country in the grand final. National winners will be announced on July 8 at the House of Lords.
The businesses are judged on a range of criteria, including their passion and commitment, sense of community, championing local produce, and the energy and diversity of their business.
The ‘Rural Oscars’ are now in their 19th year, and are a vital way of celebrating rural businesses that go the extra mile and support their local economy.
Being nominated for the Countryside Alliance Awards can have a real impact on rural businesses. The businesses which go on to become finalists or champions will receive regional and national recognition, strengthening the reputation of their brand.
There are five categories: ‘best pub’, ‘best village shop/post office’, ‘best butcher’, ‘best for local food a drink’ and the ‘rural enterprise award’.
Countryside Alliance Scotland Director Jake Swindells said:“Once more, we have been blown away by the number of nominations this year. So many wonderful businesses have been sent in by the public.
“Every business has an important story to tell – it’s so important that they are recognised. The secret to the Rural Oscars’ popularity is that they honour the people involved in these businesses, and not just their produce or services.
“At this critical time for so many rural businesses, it is vital we all show our support in whatever way we can. We encourage as many people as possible to get voting. When you have voted, please share the link with friends and families.”
The link to the public vote can be found here.