A CAFE and farm shop has reached the regional finals of the Muddy Stiletto awards for the second year running. 

The Old Forge Cafe and Farm shop at Berwick St James only opened last March.

Read more: Dozens of Salisbury businesses nominated for prestigious awards

It is nominated in the Best Farmshop/Deli category, along with the Courtyard Marketplace in Wilton, and the Stable and Wick Bakery and Farm Shop in Downton. 

Owner Sam Shipley-Baker, 55, lives in Shrewton and used to run the Little Green Village Shop in Durrington. 

Salisbury Journal: Sam Shipley-Baker with her staff, Rowen Howden and Kain Shipley-Baker

That shop closed in December 24 as it was no longer financially viable, but shortly afterwards, Sam saw an advert for the Old Forge Cafe and Farm shop.

With some help from her mum, who said "as one door closes, another one opens", Sam took over the farm shop in February last year.

Sadly, Sam's mum died from a stroke in October just months after the business had opened its doors. 

She said: "We didn't even know we had been nominated last year, so that was amazing, but this year it is really important to me that we win, for my mum.

"I was visiting her in hospital while working to get the business going and I want to win to make her proud". 

Sam has 23-year-old twins, and her son Kain works at the The Old Forge with his partner Rowen. 

Sam also runs a 'chatty cafe' at the shop on Wednesdays, to help combat loneliness in the community. 

See also: Salisbury Orangery nominated for prestigious Muddy Stilettos award

She told the Journal: "We have an elderly man who comes in every week because he lost his wife a few years ago and had lost the art of the conversation and wasn't going out. 

"We have become friends now and I even invited him to spend Easter Sunday with my family". 

The awards have reached the regional finals stage, with voting open until April 18. 

There are five local businesses in the finals in each of 21 categories. 

Regional Winners from every category will automatically go through to the National Finals.

The Muddy Stilettos editors will then judge who is the ‘Best of the Best’ in each category, announcing the winners in July. 

The Old Forge Farm Shop and Cafe, on Langford Lane, Berwick St James, is open seven days a week. 

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