Cotswold food emporium Fillet & Bone has won a prestigious national retail award from the Guild of Fine Food.

The urban farm shop, which launched in Chipping Campden in March last year, has been named Newcomer of the Year in the Shop of the Year Awards 2018.

Hundreds of entries poured in for six categories recognising the UK’s best independent delicatessens, cheese shops, farm shops, food halls and specialist food or drink retailers.

The Newcomer of the Year was selected by judges from all the entries received and, following a rigorous judging process including a secret shopper visit, Fillet & Bone was crowned winner at a ceremony at the Guild’s HQ in Southwark Street, London.

“It means a great deal to win a national award like this from a body as prestigious as the Guild of Fine Food,” said Fillet & Bone founder Chris Gates.

“It’s very important to us, particularly because we were among such illustrious company – retailers that we greatly respect.

“It’s hugely encouraging and we take great pride in it. There’s been a lot of great sentiment on social media from our customers and suppliers, and it’s a reward for them as much as it is for us.”

Chris praised the judging process.

“The judge who came to see us was very well-informed and asked all the right questions,” he added. “We certainly felt as if we’d been thoroughly interviewed. We’ve also found the Guild’s Secret Shopper report very useful.

“We’re absolutely delighted to be the Guild of Fine Food Newcomer of the Year for 2018.”

Judges at the Awards included food journalist Patrick McGuigan, ex-Fortnum & Mason food buyer Sam Rosen-Nash and veteran industry buyer Stuart Gates.

They said the shop is “built on great business plans and practices” and is “a treasure trove of delicious products with a real sense of individuality”.

The farm shop, borne out of a centuries-old butcher’s shop in the High Street, continues an illustrious tradition of artisan makers and retailers in Chipping Campden. Celebrity fans include Great British Bake Off judge Prue Leith.

It’s the team’s mission to retail the finest food and drink from the very best farmers and producers from across the Cotswolds and beyond.

Responsibly farmed, rare-breed meat and game is at its heart, including a range of handmade, additive and preservative-free sausages, burgers and other barbecue cuts.

Plus it also stocks an array of deli goods, cheeses from renowned Cotswolds cheesemakers, charcuterie, handmade pies and Scotch eggs and fresh, seasonal fruit and vegetables grown just four miles from the shop.

Sustainable fish caught by the Cornish day fleet is delivered four times a week.

It bakes its own pastries and it retails its own-label wines – Slaughterhouse Red and Bone Dry White, a nod to the property’s historic abattoir – chutneys, pickles, preserves and dry goods.

This year, planning permission has been granted for an ambitious redevelopment of the shop, including a specialist cold store and restaurant space in the former abattoir.