Ludlow Farmshop Named 2026 Large Farm Shop of the Year winner at the Farm Shop & Deli Retailer Awards

The winners of the 2026 Farm Shop & Deli Retailer Awards were revealed on the 13th April, where our very own Ludlow Farmshop were crowned Large Farm Shop of the Year.

The largest category for 2026, Ludlow Farmshop beat off competition from nine other finalists including Denstone Farm shop & cafe from Uttoxeter, Forage Farm shop from Cowbridge, Goat Shed from Norwich, Kenyon Hall Farm from Warrington, Low Sizergh Barn near Kendal, Oakchurch Farm shop from Staunton-on-Wye, Robinsons Ltd from Isle of Man, The Garlic Farm from Isle of Wight, and Welbeck Farm Shop from Worksop.

With so many finalists in the category, judges awarded Highly Commended to three finalists; Denstone Hall Farm Shop, Oakchurch Farm Shop and Welbeck Farm Shop.

This year’s event, delivered in partnership with The Grocer and championed by Fieldfare brought together the finest examples of independent retail across the UK and Northern Ireland. Ten category winners and nine regional champions were honoured, alongside special achievements including Highly Commended distinctions and the sought-after Newcomer of the Year award.

Enthusiastic crowds of finalists, exhibitors, and attendees cheered on as the winners were announced by Nigel Barden, Chair of Judges. Ludlow Farmshop captured the judges’ attention, earning praise from the judges, including; 

A strong established business with exceptional local provenance, sustainability & community initiatives. More than just a shop, the business is a destination & places customer experience high on the agenda.

The awards follow an extensive evaluation process. Entries underwent detailed online assessment by industry experts, followed by a November in-person judging session to determine the shortlist. Secret visits conducted in January and February provided judges with an authentic insight into the business, ultimately shaping the list of this year’s winners.

The coveted accolade celebrate the best specialist independent retailers with judges recognising retailers’ achievements in the independent sector. Nigel Barden, Chairman of Judges and Food and Drink Journalist and Broadcaster, says:

“Even in a year where many retailers have approached things carefully, the Farm Shop & Deli Awards have continued to thrive. We’ve been hugely encouraged by the exceptional standard of entries, and we truly appreciate every retailer who made space in their busy schedules to get involved. Our outstanding judging panel remains a major strength of the awards, and welcoming new judges added even more expertise to the process. To ensure our results reflected real excellence, we carried out additional visits - including assessments of online retailers - so every winner was chosen with absolute clarity. "

Take a look at all the winners, and find out more about the award, here: https://www.farmshopanddelishow.co.uk/awards.