A South West Scotland business with five stores has been named the most outstanding retailer in the UK-wide Downland group of independent agricultural retailers.

Murray Farmcare’s managing director Andrew Cairns received the Franchise of the Year award at the group’s annual conference, held in Newcastle.

Stuart Stamper, Downland’s operations manager, said: “Downland will celebrate its 40th anniversary during 2019, the success of Downland relies on our franchisees providing farmers with the best advice, best products and the best value. This award recognises the work the whole team at Murray Farmcare has contributed to working in partnership with their local farmers and Downland.”

Andrew Cairns, Murray Farmcare’s managing director, said: “A great strength of the group is that knowledge and expertise is shared between the retailers because they are not in competition with each other. It enables independent companies to compete very successfully against the corporate giants and we’re all good at offering a personalised and responsive service whilst remaining commercially competitive.”

Pictured (left to right) are: Stuart Stamper, Downland’s operations manager; Kevin Turnbull, sales director at Murray Farmcare; and Andrew Cairns, Murray Farmcare’s managing director