*Best London 'Shop of Shops' Award Winners 2011 * James Hamill and owner of The Hive Honey Shop in Battersea was shortlisted to receive an award by the prestigious London Magazine for 'Best Food Shop 2011'. The awards venue was held on November 29th at the beautiful and atmospheric London Burlington Arcade London W1 with canapés & Champagne flowing. The Hive Honey Shop were shortlisted for this possible award.

Well they did not win that award and James felt a bit disappointed and deflated. There was still the top award, over all award for The Best London 'Shop of Shops' and that he won!

James went up on stage and accepted the award, "It was a big surprise! After hearing the we had not won the award we were there for, I felt the evening had come to an end. Then they announced that the main overall award was still to be revealed. I dismissed our chances because there were so many amazing shops there and some very well established businesses within the six categories. I was speechless when they announced The Hive Honey Shop was the overall winner ".

James has been keeping bees since he was five years old. Indeed he is a third generation beekeeper and he cares passionately for bees. Today, James has a successful family honey business centred round his shop in London’s Battersea. He has created an extensive honey range consisting of gourmet honeys and honey cosmetics with the largest collection of single floral honeys in the country. At his farm in Surrey, Bee Heaven Farm, he has 200 apple trees enabling him to produce apple honey and farm-pressed apple juice for hotels, restaurants and for sale from his shop.

James has spent many years collating information from those that suffer from hayfever and researching the pollen that is prolific in their areas; he has now developed a honey based product that will relieve the symptoms for those acute sufferers and this HayfeGUARD® will be launched in January 2012.

Due to the early work that he did in California he has been vital in helping with the the diseases that currently trouble bees and ways to monitor and help bees in this country. Hamill shares his knowledge through beginner beekeeping courses and a free online Beekeeping Advise Service.

In support of The Great Little Shop Awards. The Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, says: "London is an Aladdin’s cave of hidden boutiques, vintage clothes dens and quirky retailers offering visitors everything under the sun. These unique shops are essential in helping to put the village into the city and are a vital thread in the fabric of the capital. In these tough economic times on the high street, small independent businesses need all the support they can get. So it is fantastic to see them being recognised through these awards."

Remember: Shop Local This Christmas! Support your local family shops by buying local. Wandsworth Council are actively campaigning to make local residents aware they can make a difference and help keep small business afloat with residents spending locally.

Visit The Hive Honey Shop at: www.thehivehoneyshop.co.uk or pop in to try free honey tasters at: The Hive Honey Shop, 93 Northcote Road, Battersea, SW11 6Pl. Tel 020 7924 6233.

Based on information supplied by Robert Davis.