A celebration of the importance rural shops have on Island life has been taken up by Island MP Andrew Turner, who is urging people to value their rural shops on the Isle of Wight and nominate them in a Best Rural Retailer Competition 2007

The national competition, in its third year and is organised by the Countryside Alliance, there are four categories:

Best local food retailer; Best Village shop/post office; Best Diversification and Daily Telegraph best traditional business.

You only have until October 6th, but you can get interactive and nominate online, organisers said they were looking for businesses and people who are the ‘backbone of rural life’.

Mr Turner commented:

“The role of rural shops in the communities they serve cannot be over-emphasised. They help to keep them alive, as do churches, vibrant schools and other essential amenities.”

There are regional finals, Isle of Wight Lavender has been Southern winners in the best diversification category — and national finalists will be invited to a reception at the House of Lords.

Mr Turner, who is a keen advocate of food being sold as close as possible to where it is produced, once questioned former Prime Minister Tony Blair on the ‘green mile’ issue and forced the PM to admit he did not know much about it.

Mr Turner added:

“Rural shops are usually independent, family-run concerns offering a quality, friendly and convenient way to shop.  They are a source of employment, particularly for mums who might not be able to travel to towns. And because these shops are often in walking distances of their customers, they can leave their cars at home and so reduce pollution.”

He said many shops were evolving and not just selling essentials such as bread and milk, but diversifying and offering services such as DVD hire and some had tearooms.

Anyone can nominate a shop by using a form from the Countryside Alliance or online at Best Rural Retailer Click HERE:

Island MP

Island Pulse