A COTSWOLDS company has been named one of the best rural businesses in the country after winning two regional Rural Business Awards.

Sam Wilson Studio, which has stores in Chipping Campden and Stow-on-the-Wold, was named Best Rural Retail Business and Best Rural Creative, Artisan or Crafts Business at the South West regional finals of the Rural Business Awards.

Following the achievement at the regional final, held at the Royal Agricultural University, Cirencester, the business will now go on to represent the South West at the national final in February 2020.

Sam Wilson Studio is a luxury homeware brand inspired by the British countryside. The art tells stories of rural life, Cotswold villages and the landscape around the artist’s studio, adapted into handmade lino cut designs. These linoprints are further adapted into designs for fabrics, homeware, china and stationery.

Speaking after picking up the prestigious award, Sam said: “It’s wonderful to be recognised by industry leaders like Amazon and the Rural Business Awards and goes to show that our hard work is definitely getting noticed!

"We were delighted at being shortlisted and to go on and win two categories at the regional finals is fantastic."

Awards co-founder Jemma Clifford added: “We are very proud to be hosting the fifth annual Rural Business Awards in partnership with Amazon. On behalf of the Rural Business Awards I would like to say congratulations to Sam Wilson Studio for a well-deserved win.”

The Rural Business Awards is the brainchild of Leicestershire businesswomen Anna Price and Jemma Clifford, who wanted to showcase the wealth of entrepreneurial talent in rural areas of Britain.