Celebrating Local Excellence, the Winners of the Rutland and Stamford Independent Business Awards

The results are in after a staggering 40,000 votes cast by the local community, Alicia Kearns MP has officially announced the winners of the Rutland and Stamford Favourite Independent Business Awards.

This year’s competition highlighted the incredible diversity and dedication of our local high streets, spanning 20 different categories from traditional butchers to boutique gift shops.

The Ultimate Accolade, Overall Winner

Taking the top spot across the entire region is Walkers Bookshops in Stamford. As the business with the highest number of total votes across all categories, Walkers has proven itself to be a cornerstone of the community.

“Absolutely fabulous service... the staff are so knowledgeable about the stock!” — Local Resident

Retail and Lifestyle Champions

The awards saw fierce but friendly competition across a variety of sectors. Here are the businesses your neighbours officially crowned as their favorites:

Food & Drink

Butcher: Simpsons (Stamford Garden Centre) took the win, with voters traveling over an hour for their quality cuts. Leeson Family Butchers in Oakham followed as a close runner-up.

Bakery: Hambleton Bakery (Stamford) was hailed as "the best in the UK," beating out the much-loved Otters Fine Foods in Oakham.

Cafe: Central Cafe Tea Rooms (Stamford) won for its welcoming atmosphere, while Oakham’s Fika earned the runner-up spot for its excellent service.

Farm Shop: Farmer Lou in Exton was celebrated for incredible value, followed by Rectory Farm Shop in Great Easton.

Home & Hobby
Antiques: St Martins Antiques Centre (Stamford) was praised for its beautifully presented range, narrowly beating Uppingham Antiques Centre.

Crafts: Ewe Wool Shop (Stamford) took the lead for its expert knowledge, followed by The Stamford Fabric Company.

Homeware: NOOK (Stamford) won the hearts of interior lovers, with Sinclairs (Stamford) coming in as runner-up.

Garden Centre: Rutland Nursery in Manton secured the win for its thoughtful product range, while Stamford Botanics was recognided for its unique appeal.

Fashion & Beauty

Clothing: Running specialists Bog Dog Running took the top prize, followed by the stylish team at Energy Clothing.

Beauty: Natalie Dams Beauty (Stamford) won for its high standards, with Equilibrium taking the runner-up spot for its calming atmosphere.

Hairdressers: GLOW in Oakham was celebrated for creating a true "experience," followed by Asembo in Stamford.

Specialist & Community Services

Beyond retail, the awards recognised the vital services that keep the community running smoothly.

Pharmacy: Rutland Late Night Pharmacy (Oakham) Runner-up Stamford Pharmacy

Village Shop: The Village Stores Ryhall Runner-up Ketton Post Office & Village Store

Pet Shop: Pets Korner (Stamford) Runner-up Wildwood Pets

Music Shop: Stamford Music Shop Runner-up Rocka-Buy Records (Oakham)

Children's: Noughts & Crosses (Stamford) Runner-up Stork of Stamford

Specialist: Harrison & Dunn (Stamford) Runner-up ACR Computers

A Community Effort

The overwhelming response with over 40,000 votes underscores just how much the residents of Rutland and Stamford value their independent shops. These businesses provide more than just products; they offer expertise, friendly faces, and a sense of belonging.

As Alicia Kearns MP noted during the presentations, these awards are a "thank you" to the business owners who go the extra mile. Whether you’re looking for the perfect gift at You (Stamford), stunning blooms from Stamford Flowers, or expert tech advice from ACR Computers, our local high streets are clearly in good hands.

Next time you’re out, why not drop by one of these award-winning spots and see for yourself what makes them so special?