A HIGHWORTH deli has been shortlisted for a prestigious award.

Bloomfield's is in the running for Best Delicatessen after the Guild of Fine Food announced their shortlist for the Shop of the Year Awards.

Business manager Tim Belcher said: "It's fantastic, we're really pleased, it's an amazing honour.

"We've always championed local food and local produce and we try to provide excellent home cooking and excellent customer service on the high street.

"We're an established business, we've been going for around 10 years and we're still very popular, so that probably stood out to the judges.

"It's quite unique, really, three delis operating very close to each other, you don't see that very often."

Bloomfield's used to be takeaway-only but underwent a transformative seven-week renovation last year.

This opened up the inside of the deli to customers through the addition of seating, tables, a new counter, and shelves full of purchasable produce and ingredients.

This revamp brought it in line with the deli's other branches in Shrivenham and Watchfield.

It's one of 42 independent businesses shortlisted for the Shop of the Year Awards, which is an accreditation scheme which recognises and promotes excellence in independent retail.

Other award categories include Best Farm Shop or Garden Centre with Food Hall.

The deli entered the competition by submitting a written entry which was then reviewed by a panel of respected industry experts

The next stage involves an announced visit from a judge and a mystery shop by Shopper's Anonymous.

Tim added: "They could come at any time during June so we're ready and waiting.

"We don't know who it could be, they could come at any day or time and be anybody.

"I know the judges are made up of food industry and service experts, so they'll primarily be looking for customer service and food knowledge.

"Just to be shortlisted for this award is a great honour - to win would be amazing.

"We're not expecting to win, we're with some very esteemed competition, some very big players in big places - London, Bristol, Birmingham, etc.

"It would be great to put Highworth and Shrivenham on the map.

This isn't the first time the deli has been shortlisted for an award, and it won South West Deli of the Year in 2012.

If it wins, Tim and his co-manager Sue Belcher get a trophy and an invite to the high-profile Great Tastes Dinner in London in September.