A BUTCHER’S shop which has been trading for less than two years has been nominated for The Press’ Shop Of The Year Award.

The Butchers Block on Gerard Avenue, Burnholme, is a family- run business supplying local meats to large numbers of caterers as well as the general public.

David Long, of Tadcaster Road, York, who nominated the shop, said: “It has gone from strength to strength. They are innovative, exceptionally hard working and really look after their customers.

“Instead of waiting for business to come to them they go and look for it. They are a local butchers supplying really high quality produce.”

Jessica Scott, who runs the business jointly with Matthew Cross, said of the nomination: “It is a lovely surprise. It is very nice to be recognised by our customer base.

“Matthew has been a butcher since he was 16 and the venture has gone really well. We are particularly proud or our hand-made sausages.”

The shop of the year contest is intended to boost the retail sector, and was launched recently as part of The Press’s York Means Business campaign, which aims to support and promote local businesses through the global recession.

We are asking readers to nominate their favourite shop and also shopkeepers to nominate their own business because of the exceptional quality of service.

The winners will enjoy the fabulous prize of a luxury night for two at York’s Dean Court Hotel, followed by a champagne breakfast.

They will then be whisked to York Racecourse in a limo from White Stretch Limousines to attend The Press’s Family Raceday on Sunday, September 6, where the shop owners can be joined by members of their staff.

• Nominations for the Shop of the Year award have now closed. The winners will be announced later this month.