Ludlow Food Centre has celebrated its ninth birthday in style after being crowned as Food Hall of the Year at this year's Farm Shop and Deli Awards. The awards, held at Birmingham's National Exhibition Centre (NEC), recognise the best in class in the specialist independent retail market, celebrating the very highest standards, levels of service, product innovation and community involvement.
Members of Ludlow Food Centre's team were in attendance to collect this prestigious award, presented during the annual Farm Shop & Deli Show trade exhibition.
Commenting on the announcement, Jon Edwards, Managing Director at Ludlow Food Centre, said: "What a great way to celebrate our ninth anniversary. It's a fantastic birthday present to be taking back to south Shropshire for our brilliant team. Many of our employees have been with the business since the day we opened our doors for the first time in 2007 so this is extra special for them. It is only through their commitment and ongoing dedication that it's possible to win awards such as these.”
Over the past nine years Ludlow Food Centre has championed locally-sourced, seasonal produce. More than 50% of everything it sells is created by award-winning artisans in eight on-site production units, including cheese, coffee, jams and pickles and scratch-baked bread.
Voted for by the public, it is the second time in three years that Ludlow Food Centre has been crowned as Food Hall of The Year. In 2015, Butchery Manager, John Brereton collected Butcher of the Year as part of the same awards. His counter serves lamb, pork, beef and game that has been reared on the Oakly Park Estate, where Ludlow Food Centre is located.
Meanwhile, at Ludlow Food Centre, staff and customers celebrated with a massive birthday cake created by head baker, Hazel and her team on Saturday. Donations were collected on behalf of Ludlow Food Centre's Charity of The Year 2016-17, Midlands Air Ambulance Charity (MAAC).
