Retail royalty

A panel of retail experts selected the winners, with prizes awarded for best Pavilion stand, best small and large Outside stands, and best Food Walk stand.

The award for best small Outside stand went to Louise Condon, also known as the Ceramic Botanist (B3). Louise crafts beautiful vases, jugs and other statement pieces using stoneware clay and porcelain. She colours the ceramics using oxides and stains to highlight the imprints left by the plants. Each piece is unique in its composition.

The judges not only commended Louise on her beautifully presented stand, but noted that she was “particularly engaging” when talking to the public about her work.

“I loved the concept of Louise’s creations — the fact that she’s a one-woman enterprise and makes everything from start to finish,” said our expert. “Her work is all natural and completely British, and the presentation of her stand was beautifully thought out.”

Boutique children’s clothing company, Eleanor Charles, caught the judge’s eye in the Burghley Lifestyle Pavilion.

“I thought this was a charming stall, selling traditional fare with a contemporary feel. The stand is very attractive and cleverly decorated with old furniture — it feels a bit like stepping into somebody’s front room,” said our expert.

Eleanor Charles was founded by mum of two, Katie Heptonstall, in 2022, shortly after the Covid pandemic and provides practical, high-quality pieces that bring countryside glamour and style to children’s wardrobes.

Traditional country clothing store, Brocklehursts (A34), caught the judges’ eye for its “well laid out stand, warm welcome and traditional country feel.

“The staff come across as extremely knowledgeable and the stand has a wonderful, British, traditional feel to it,” noted our experts.

The final category winner, Charcuterie-Hereford, tickled the tastebuds of our judges sufficiently for it to earn the crown of best Food Walk stand.

Charcuterie-Hereford opened its doors in 2019 and has become a must-visit meat and game landmark in Herefordshire. Known for its high-quality products, our expert was bowled over by the array of mouthwatering charcuterie on offer, which they described as being “deliciously moreish with a great variety of produce that is very well displayed”.