Staff from Barkers of Huby were joined by their MP recently as they attended a ceremony for the Countryside Alliance Awards in the House of Lords. The business was one of 10 finalists for the Village Shop/Post Office Award. The reception was held on the 27th April.
Kevin Hollinrake, MP for Thirsk and Malton, enjoyed the company of the staff from Barkers as they toured around Parliament. Last year he officially opened the post office and shop.
“I am delighted that the shop has been recognised for the important place it has in the community. It has a vital role in the life of the village. It was good to meet the representatives from Barkers who came to Parliament and celebrate the success of the business with them. Barkers is a positive example of what can be achieved when a group of people work together for the benefit of all local residents.”
Huby & Sutton Community Shop Ltd t/a Barkers of Huby is a not for profit, community owned shop and post office.
The shop and post office has been transformed over the last 11 months with the help of grants from Hambleton District Council, the Post Office Community Fund and the hard work and vision of volunteers.
The management committee is chaired by Denise Howard OBE, a resident of Huby. On reaching the national finals of the Countryside Alliance Awards she said:
“We are absolutely thrilled to have been recognised as a finalist in the Best Village Shop & Post Office category during our first year of operation as a community owned shop. Our volunteers, management committee and customers are extremely proud of what we have achieved and by working together we have ensured the long term viability and success of the village shop. I know that the post office is a life-line for some members of our community, and the shop provides a friendly and essential service valued by everyone in Sutton and Huby. We are very proud that so many of our customers voted for us in these coveted rural Oscars”