Huw Merriman, MP for the Bexhill and Battle constituency, is delighted to announce that Netherfield Village Shop, Café and Post Office is a finalist in the Countryside Alliance Awards.

The Awards are the Countryside Alliance’s annual celebration of British food & farming, enterprise and heritage through our small hard-working businesses. The Rural Oscars are now in their sixteenth year and have become the definitive rural business award to win. They are set apart from other award schemes because they are driven by public nomination, offering customers the chance to tell us why their favourite businesses are worthy of national acclaim. The Rural Oscars received thousands of nominations this year so Netherfield Village Shop, Café and Post Office has done extremely well to reach the regional final.

Countryside Alliance Awards Director Sarah Lee commented: “We have been overwhelmed by nominations this year. The secret to the Rural Oscars’ popularity is that they honour the people involved in these businesses and not just their produce or services. They exist to sing the praises of those who work hard to keep our communities and rural economy ticking, but don’t seek the spotlight. Our local produce is second to none and there are many community heroes and businesses worthy of national recognition.”

Huw commented “The Countryside Alliance Awards celebrate those businesses that go the extra mile and are the cornerstone of our rural communities. Reaching the regional finals is testament to the hard work and service that Janette and Nichola MacAuley, and their great team, provide to their community. I will be following their progress with pride and will be championing their success.”