Just three years after illness almost forced him to put up the closed sign for good, Ian Florey is celebrating owning the best village shop in Kent.

He and his wife Jane took over the Sissinghurst business, which also has a Post Office counter, in 2003 but two years later he suffered eight months of ill health.

He said: “The business nearly folded but I had villagers coming to my home in Crowborough begging me to come back. It really brought a lump to my throat. Despite the turmoil of my illness and struggling against the supermarkets we are still here.”

So much so, that the shop has taken the title of Kent Community Village Shop of the Year. It was one of seven finalists at the awards evening held at Lenham last Thursday

Mr Florey, who spent several months earlier this year worrying about the possible closure of his PO counter in the nationwide programme of cuts, was quick to praise his staff which are made up of nine full and part-time people.

“It is not just about me it is about the staff who make the shop what it is. The award is a great achievement for my staff as well as me.

“It was our vision to run a village shop and treat everyone the same whether they are spending 30p on a newspaper or £50 on groceries.”

The day after the awards ceremony, Mr Florey invited villagers to enjoy a celebratory drink and nibbles at the shop.

“Without them,” he said, “we wouldn’t have won the award.