AN AGRICULTURAL retailer has picked up a big national award.

Robson & Cowan, based at Scots Gap, scooped the grand award for the larger retailer of the year at the inaugural BEDMAX Shavings retailer of the year awards having qualified after winning the North-East and Yorkshire category.

Wheatley Farm Shop in Oxfordshire picked up the prize for the smaller retailer category.

The awards were introduced in celebration of BEDMAX Shavings’ 20th anniversary to acknowledge loyal customers over the years and recognise all the retailers across the UK whose support had helped to make the firm’s iconic yellow and green bags the best selling equine bedding in Britain.

Robson & Cowan is a family-run country store famous in the North-East.

Frank Cowan said: “We receive tremendous support from BEDMAX and stock all of its products including LITTLEMAX, STOCKMAX and HOTMAX.

"So to win this award from it is fantastic and amazing news which I am thrilled to hear about.

"I would like to thank those who nominated us, and our sales team in the office which is second to none, and this award is testament to that.”

Regional winners will receive a certificate and plaque and overall winners in each category will receive a 2020 Retailer of the Year Trophy and a £250 prize to be spent on a staff party.

The awards were run by an online nomination process, followed by a judging process.

All the regional winners were stockists which offered the high levels of customer support and equine knowledge.

The overall winners were the retailers that demonstrated these qualities, along with outstanding product knowledge and evidence of going the extra mile on customer service.

BEDMAX Shavings’ managing director, Tim Smalley, said: “These awards were devised to recognise all our amazing retailers across the UK who work to support horse owners and the wellbeing of their horses, as well as thank them for their unwavering efforts.“

"It has been quite a celebratory year for us, reaching our 20th birthday in 2020, so we wanted to acknowledge this.

"A tremendous number of people submitted nominations with entries from the length and breadth of the UK mentioning the unrivalled service provided by their local store, combined with excellent knowledge of equine products.

"So our judging panel had a tough decision to choose one overall national winner for each category, but Wheatley Farm Shop and Robson & Cowan stood out in terms of their attention to detail an in-depth understanding of equine bedding.”