Pencil Cottage in Shanklin Old Village on the Isle of Wight has won the County Press Cafe of the Year Award for the second year running.

Lisa Hill-Whyte and Derick Hill, who have owned the tea room and gift shop since 2007, exclaimed: "We knew we had some stiff competition so kept our fingers crossed. 

"When we got the news and told our amazing team we couldn’t have been more proud.“

Lisa said: "This has just topped off an incredible season and we can’t wait to take our team out to celebrate. 

Isle of Wight County Press: Pencil Cottage, Shanklin, which won Isle of Wight Cafe of the Year for the second year running. From left, Lisa Hill-Whyte, owner; Coryn Harbour, manager, and Nicola Duffield, team member. Photo: Pencil Cottage. Pencil Cottage, Shanklin, which won Isle of Wight Cafe of the Year for the second year running. From left, Lisa Hill-Whyte, owner; Coryn Harbour, manager, and Nicola Duffield, team member. Photo: Pencil Cottage. (Image: Pencil Cottage)

"They all work so hard and always look to make every customer's visit a pleasant one. They often go that extra mile and we are very lucky to have them. 

"We will never rest on our laurels though and we are already looking at how we can enhance our offering."

"Thank you to everyone who took the time to vote — you have made our year again!"

See more about Pencil Cottage at: pencilcottage.co.uk

New this year, the County Press Pub of the Year competition proved highly popular, with readers sending us hundreds of nominations.

The Travellers Joy was named the County Press Pub of the Year 2022 after a public vote and the team have had double the reason to celebrate because the pub is also the Isle of Wight CAMRA Pub of the Year.

Sam and Pete Booth, who run The Travellers Joy at Northwood, near Cowes, received a certificate and a bottle of prosecco from the County Press.

They said: "Once again we would like to thank all of our amazing staff, and everybody who voted for us from near and far...it means a lot."

The Travellers Joy is a family and dog-friendly country inn with a good range of real ales, home-cooked food served at lunchtimes and evenings, a beer garden, live music, pool table and regular community events.

See more on the website at: travellersjoycowes.co.uk

Isle of Wight County Press: Sam and Pete Booth of The Travellers Joy, Northwood, Isle of Wight, which is the County Press Pub of the Year 2022.Sam and Pete Booth of The Travellers Joy, Northwood, Isle of Wight, which is the County Press Pub of the Year 2022. (Image: The Travellers Joy)

The salon, situated in Newport High Street, was voted the winner by County Press readers earlier this year.

It was one of a dozen beauty salons which made the shortlist, and the businesses were based across the Isle of Wight, including East Cowes, Wootton, Brading, Ryde, Ventnor and Cowes.

DID YOU KNOW...?

The County Press runs a number of competitions throughout the year, including Cafe of the Year, Pub of the Year, Pet Idol and Child of the Year, so keep it's always worth keeping your eyes on us!

We will be announcing the winner of Pet Idol 2022 soon.