A DELICATESSEN that has been at the heart of a Tyne Valley village for more than 300 years is celebrating after being shortlisted for not one but two prestigious awards.

The Corbridge Larder, on Hill Street, is in the running for a Farm Shop and Deli Award, in partnership with The Grocer, as well as the Modern Retail Good Retail Awards’ Community Award. The awards celebrate local, specialist retailers across the country and champion businesses making a positive impact in the industry, respectively.

It comes at a time where the coronavirus pandemic has changed consumer habits and, largely, forced operations online or socially-distanced.

Jen Horton, who owns the business alongside husband Bob, said: “We're absolutely chuffed to bits to get shortlisted.

"The deli's been open all the way through and the amount of people that have said to us 'we're lifesavers' has just been amazing. To be shortlisted for these awards, it's almost saying, yes, you did a good job.

"My staff have just been amazing, they're a fantastic team and are all just pulling together to make sure we get through this and also our customers get what they want. They've gone above and beyond, they've delivered out to people, been a voice at the end of the phone.

"It's been lovely seeing communities pull together and it's just been fantastic being a part of it, these awards are just the icing on the cake for us!

"We're extremely proud of our shop, we're now in our fifth year year and we've really turned it round, it's really now you're seeing all of that is working. We'll get through these difficult times."

The deli and cafe, which is home to an enviable range of local produce and bespoke hampers, teamed up with local, thriller writer LJ Ross, who funded supplies to key workers, care homes, schools and families in need.

Jen said that the company was 'passionate' about shopping local and hoped that customers continued to support small.

The cafe is open for takeaways and virtual and private shopping options are available.