The owners of Kiel House, in Dinas Cross, are “chuffed to bits” after scooping three prestigious awards in five months.

Philip and Meinir Simpson have run the busy local store for the past eight years.

Their hard work was recognised in May when, as reported in the Western Telegraph, they won the Pro Retail Spirit of the Community award.

Since then the accolades have started to roll in. The couple won the My Shop is Your Shop gold award two months ago and more recently the Independent Achiever’s Academy Top 100 award, singling them out as one of the best 100 independent shops in the UK.

The awards were judged by mystery shoppers, who visited Kiel House unbeknown to its owners.

“The first thing we knew about it was the certificate coming through the post,”

said Philip. “I was pleased but I didn’t much look at it.

It was only a few days later I realised what it was.

“I’m chuffed to bits with that. There’s a lot of shops in the country.”

Philip and Meinir have worked hard to make Kiel House more than a village shop. They deliver to elderly customers and holiday cottages, run a laundry and dry cleaning drop off point, advertise local events and support local charities. Both are ardent fundraisers for Cardigan’s MS centre.

They are also first responders, who go to the aid of elderly customers if a personal alarm is set off, and check up on their regulars if they don’t come in for a couple of days.

“I think the shop is an important part of the local community,” said Philip.

“People meet here, see their friends and catch up with what’s going on in the area.”

When asked if the shop was in the running for any more awards he said: “I’ll keep an eye on the post.”