Greats Winners ‘Over The Moon’

Having been presented with their coveted Greats trophies at the Greats Awards on September 23, winners reveal that they are still on cloud nine.

“I was over the moon when my name was called out!” exclaimed Helen Nicholson, owner of Robert and Ruby In Helmsley, who won the Independent Gift Retailer of the Year – North & Northern Ireland category, sponsored by Joe Davies. “It’s that one award, out of all the awards in the gift industry, that you really want to win. It’s the best feeling to receive recognition for all the hard work that goes into my shop.”

Above: Helen Nicholson, owner of Robert & Ruby in Helmsley, received her award from David Cree, sales manager of category sponsor Joe Davies.

For Sarah Cox, gift buyer at Roys of Wroxham, the award for Best Department store,sponsored by Ashleigh & Burwood, was a true accolade. “This award means so much to us here at Roy’s and reflects the dedication and hard work of everyone involved,” stated Sarah.

Above: A delighted Sarah Cox accepted the Best Department Store trophy from Helena Riggs, sales and key account manager of category sponsor Ashleigh & Burwood.

“It was literally the best news we could have hoped for,” said Byrony Taylor-Edwards, head of marketing and gift buyer at Yarnton Home & Garden, Yarnton, winner of the Best Garden Centre Retailer of Gifts. “I’m still riding high on the wave of recognition from such an incredible organisation.”

Above: Bryony Taylor-Edwards, head of marketing and gift buyer at Yarnton Home & Garden, Yarnton, was delighted to be presented with the Best Garden Centre Retailer of Gifts award from Danny O’Halloran, buyer at Premier Decorations, category sponsor.

Jon May and Luke Jacks, co-owners of two Mooch Gifts & Home gift shops in Bewdley and Stourport-on-Severn, winners of the Independent Gift Retailer of the Year – Midlands and Wales category, sponsored by Harrogate Christmas & Gift, enthused: “We’re feeling overwhelmed, flabbergasted that we won. We weren’t expecting it at all. There were such fantastic finalists in this category, and we were so pleased to be one of them. To win is the icing on the cake.”

Above: Jon May and Luke Jacks, co-owners of Mooch Gifts & Home, Bewdley and Stourport-on-Severn are shown on stage with category sponsor Lincoln Exley, managing director of Allsorted.

At Lovely Libby’s and Olive Tree in Billericay, Brentwood and Rayleigh, co-owner Libby Holden, said: “Our customers are so delighted that we won, and we’ve had the most amazing response from it. I’m feeling very proud of my shop, and delighted to be recognised for all our hard work during this last year when things have been very difficult for everyone.”

Above: Libby Holden of Lovely Libby’s and Oliver Branch, received the Independent Gift Retailer of the Year – East Anglia award from Peter Goodman, co-owner of Heritage Art And Design, category sponsor.

“We are chuffed to bits!” exclaimed Aga Marsden, co-owner of Highworth Emporium in Highworth. “For me personally, this is our third and most important award that we have won so far.”

Above: Aga Marsden, co-owner of Highworth Emporium, Highworth, was presented with her award by category sponsor Warren Lomax, joint managing director of PG Live.

Up in Scotland, Scott and Stephen Nicol, co-owners at Keepsakes Scotland in Inverness, Loch Lomond and Pitlochry, winners of the Independent Gift Retailer of the Year – Best Newcomer Midlands, North and Scotland category, said that being category winners “means the world to us.” Added Stephen: “We could not have done it without all our amazing staff, customers and suppliers, and we are so glad that they have supported us on our journey.”