A VILLAGE shop which has been transformed over the past two years has now been named as the finalist for shop of the year.

The Guild of Fine Food’s recently revealed that the Trading Post, based between Ilminster and South Petherton, is in the running for the delicatessen and grocer category.

The business is run by couple Kate and Andy Fobes, who have two children, Meredith aged seven, and Heathcliff, who is five.

Kate said: “We are thrilled that we have named as a finalist in this year’s Guild of Fine Food - Shop of Year Award.

“I have only been the owner of the Trading Post Farm Shop since November 2017, after I bought it from the original owner who I had worked for for nine years.

“Together with my poor long suffering husband we have put our heart and soul into the business and to be announced as a finalist really is an absolute honour.”

Since the family took the shop over in 2017, they have given it a total facelift.

Their most recent project was to add a new ‘refill room’ that they opened back in November.

Kate added: “With the growing concern over plastic waste we became very aware of the amount of packaging that was being wasted on all our pre-packed goods.

“We asked our customers and the feedback was that a Refill Room was the obvious next step for us so this now is where our customers can help themselves to a delicious array of loose dry goods.”

The team said the Fine Foods judge has already been round, as has a secret shopper.

“Simply being in the finals is such a boost for me and my fabulous team especially after winning the Muddy Stilletto award for Best Farm Shop and Deli in Somerset last May.

“We just cant wait for the next challenge and we are really looking forward to what 2019 is going to bring.”