CENTRAL Devon MP, Mel Stride, called at the village shop at Morchard Bishop recently to congratulate owners Clare Radburn and Matthew Reid on completing their second successful year of trading. Church Street Stores café and gift shop was set up in May 2012 after the village Post Office scaled back its shop. The store sells newspapers, fresh milk, fruit and vegetables and other produce as well as a range of gifts. Of its product lines 46 per cent are locally produced with some items such as apple juice and alpaca yarn originating from Morchard Bishop itself. Speaking after his visit Mel Stride said: "For a small village Morchard Bishop has always punched above its weight and residents are lucky to have such a buzzing cafe and well-stocked store. "Small shops and cafes like this are the heart of village life and they need to thrive if our rural communities are to flourish." Clare said: "For the past two years local residents have really got behind us and the result has been two years of successful trading that has allowed us to expand what we offer. "We are extremely proud to be the real hub of the village." Church Street Stores, Café and Gift Shop was judged Joint Village Shop/Post Office in the South West in the 2013 Countryside Alliance Awards. Clare and Matt attended the UK finals at the House of Commons at the end of April. The awards were presented by the Secretary of State for Defra, Owen Paterson MP. The shop Church Street Stores jointly shared the Regional award with Chalke Valley Stores in Wiltshire, was announced as the winner. Matt and Clare are open for business from Tuesday to Saturday (8.30am to 6pm) and on Sunday and Monday from (8.30am to 12 noon). To contact them please call 01363 877826.