By GEMMA BROWN

Published at 09:40, Friday, 22 January 2010

FOR the second consecutive year, a village shop and post office has been judged one of the best in Britain.

Award winner: Belsay Village Shop owner Stephanie Jarron, left, and Laura Sym who will soon take over the business.

Belsay Shop and Post Office is one of four businesses in the North-East celebrating after scooping a 2009 regional title in the fifth annual Countryside Alliance Awards.

The business, run by Stephanie Jarron, will now go forward to the national finals next month to compete against eight other business for the title of best village shop or post office in the UK.

Stephanie, who bought the shop three years ago and is currently in the process of selling it to one of her employees, said: “It really is fantastic that, in the face of the trading conditions over the last two years, we have been able to come out with something like this to show how well we’ve done.

“It’s also great that I can hand over the business when it has been given a boost by something like this, because my staff and I have worked extremely hard to make this a success.”

Milbourne’s Laura Sym (21), who is currently one of around six staff at the shop, has bought the business and hopes the sale will be completed within the next few weeks.

Stephanie said: “Laura is young and enthusiastic and has the energy needed to continue to drive this place forward.

“I have really enjoyed doing my bit, but it is exhausting, and I felt it was time for a new challenge.”

The business, which lost the income of the post office last year, but has continued providing a partner service which runs at a loss, has introduced new lines in the shop to continue its growth.

It has also been praised for its daily delivery service of newspapers, milk and other fresh produce, which has proved a lifeline to many in the community during the recent bad weather.

Countryside Alliance Awards judge Steve Clark said: “With so many post offices faced with closure or changing status to an outreach shop, Belsay has just gone that extra mile to make its mark.

“The shop sells a huge array of local produce wherever possible – stocking most items anyone could want from any shop, let alone a small village store.

“Together the shop and the community fought to preserve the post office, which along with the shop forms the hub of village life.”

Published by http://www.hexhamcourant.co.uk