Local store celebrates Rural Oscars success and champions shopping Local
A much-loved local store with branches in Heathfield and the original store in Rushlake Green is celebrating after being named South East Champion in the Village Shop/Post Office category at the Countryside Alliance Rural Oscars.
The award recognises the vital role village shops and post offices play in rural communities, providing much more than everyday essentials. Local stores are often at the heart of village life, offering a friendly face, practical support, local knowledge and a valuable service for residents who may not have easy access to larger towns.
Tony Field and the team attended the awards at the House of Lords and thanked everyone who took the time to vote for them. Their success is a proud moment not only for the business, but also for the wider Heathfield and Rushlake Green communities.
Shopping local helps keep money within the local economy, supports local jobs and protects the independent businesses that give our villages and market towns their character. Every purchase, whether it is a loaf of bread, a newspaper, a gift, or a visit to the post office, helps ensure these important community services continue to thrive.
At a time when many rural businesses face rising costs and changing shopping habits, local support matters more than ever. Awards like the Rural Oscars shine a light on the dedication, hard work and community spirit behind the shops we can sometimes take for granted.
Residents are encouraged to continue backing their local shops and celebrating the independent businesses that make Heathfield, Rushlake Green and the surrounding villages such special places to live, work and visit.
