“As Suffolk farmers, we were frustrated that consumers had limited access to much of the fantastic food produced locally,” Robert Paul said. “Spurred into action by this apparent gap in the market, the concept of a showcase for quality local food with provenance began to take shape and the Suffolk Food Hall was born.”

Presenting the winners with the Ashton Graham Challenge Cup and a cheque for £1,000, agricultural partner at sponsor Ashton Graham solicitors, Jonathan Long, said Oliver and Robert Paul had won the competition because of the careful conversion of a substantial but redundant farm building making perfect use of its rural location; for their contribution to the local economy evidenced by the number of employees at Suffolk Food Hall; and for their marketing of locally sourced produce in an inspired and attractive way.

Second prize went to John Carrick of Swanton Morley, Dereham, Norfolk, who was presented with a cheque for £250 and certificate by Suffolk Show president Mike Hollingsworth for his conversion of a derelict Victorian barn and outbuildings to wedding, conference, banqueting and events venue, supported by 11 bed-and-breakfast rooms as well as the conversion of two derelict farm cottages to a freehouse and restaurant.

The award for the best newcomer was presented to Mark Black for Portable Space Limited, of Bacton, Stowmarket, Suffolk. David Black & Son Limited is a fourth-generation family business involved in pig and arable farming. Portable Space was set up as a subsidiary in 2002 and is involved in the hire, sale and transport or portable cabins and shipping containers for accommodation and storage use.

The company has grown year-on-year to achieve turnover of £1.7 million.

Lady Euston, her son Viscount Ipswich and estate manager Jim Broatch, from the Euston Estate, were presented with a cheque for £100 and certificate for the Best Green Practice Award for Euston Firewood, a fire wood business created to make use of the surplus wood from the 600ha of woodland on the estate. From small beginnings, it now delivers to more than 600 customers.

Certificates of merit were awarded to: husband and wife team Jason and Katharine Salisbury who established Suffolk Farmhouse Cheeses in July 2004; David and Sarah Robertson of Valley Farm Equestrian Leisure; and Graham Downing of Chediston, near Halesworth, for the conversion of a redundant timber-framed barn using traditional materials into an independent living centre providing equipment and services to disabled and elderly people.