A NEW delicatessen won two commendations at a national awards event held at Birmingham’s NEC.

The Forest Deli in Market Place, Coleford, run by Debbie and Simon Jones was honoured at the sixth annual Farm Shop and Deli Show in the ‘Delicatessen’ and ’Newcomer’ categories after just a year’s trading.

Simon said: “I don’t think many people realise how many fabulous independent businesses there are in Coleford. Where else in the UK would you find three independent butchers, two bakers, and the most amazing greengrocers?

“We really are very fortunate. In fact one of the main reasons we opened the deli is that we couldn’t buy good cheese without leaving the town, and it’s also given us the opportunity to showcase so many fabulous local products available throughout the Forest of Dean and Wye Valley area.

“We were finalists in two categories and commended by the judges. For our first year, that was quite amazing for us, and Coleford got a few good mentions as well as a place to visit.”

The store has a large cheese selection from local suppliers and further afield, plus regional beers and ciders, pates, meats and salamis, sweet and savoury snacks, coffees and teas and cooking ingredients.

Judges spent three months making secret visits to shops across the country for the awards, which are run in partnership with The Grocer magazine.