A DELICATESSEN which was this year named Britain's Best Small Shop is hoping to add The Press Business Awards' Retailer of the Year title to its list of accolades.

Hunters of Helmsley, which is also entering the Small Business of the Year category, is owned and operated by husband and wife team Chris and Christine Garnett, who took over the shop in 2008.

In what is both the 25th anniversary year for both the business and the Press Business Awards, Hunters of Helmsley beat off competition from hundreds of retailers across the country to be named Britain's Best Small Shop in a competition by the All Party Parliamentary Small Shops Group and administered by the Independent Retailers Confederation.

Awarding the prize at the House of Commons, Simon Danczuk MP, said: "Hunters of Helmsley was chosen by the judges for its local sourcing of produce, organisation of events to support their high street and their use of social media to engage customers."

Both come from farming backgrounds, Mr and Mrs Garnett believe the quality of food alongside where and how it is produced is vital. As a result, of the products now in store 70 per cent are sourced locally.

Bread and cakes are made at the Malton Bakery just 15 miles away; cheeses come from nearby dairies; drinks from Yorkshire County Wine and local breweries; and Johnsons of Thirsk and Julyan the Baker provide the pastries and pork pies.

The Garnetts also introduced their own ‘Hunters’ range of condiments, produced near York using local ingredients, which are now some of the top sellers in the store.

For several years Hunters has also formed a partnership with department store Fenwick, and sold hampers and products in their store in York city centre at Christmas.

Mrs Garnett said: "We like to be innovative when it comes to promotions and marketing. For example we recently approached two local producers, one of Sloe Gin and one of ice cream, and suggested they all work together to produce the world’s first Sloe Gin ice cream to be sold exclusively at Hunters.

"The delicious ice cream was a huge seller and generated great press coverage. Hunters got to offer something unique to their customer, which is the kind of special touch, which keeps people coming back."

Hunters employs nine full time employees, up one on the previous year, plus seasonal staff, with many employees having worked at the store for 10 plus years.

Hunters also takes an active role in the community. In 2012 the Garnetts personally instigated the forming of ‘Helmsley in Business’ (HiB) which now has more than 50 businesses as member. Mr Garnett chaired the initiative for the first two years, and Mrs Garnett is now secretary.