Greats Winners’ Overflowing With Joy

Having been crowned winners of The Greats last Thursday, the jubilant have not been able to contain their joy.

“We literally couldn’t believe it when we heard our name announced,” exclaimed Jon May and Luke Jacks, founders of Mooch Gifts and Home in Stourport-on Severn, winners of the Independent Gift Retailer of the Year – Midlands and Wales. “The competition from the other finalists was very tough, so we were absolutely thrilled to be crowned winners of this prestigious award.”

Above: Big smiles from Jon May and Luke Jacks, co-owners of Mooch Gifts and Home in Stourport on Severn.

Echoing these views, Anna Bryant, Buyer of Ransoms Garden Centre & The Potting Shed, which won the Best Garden Centre Retailer of Gifts category exclaimed:“We were gobsmacked to be called out as the winner. It was a lovely surprise that all our teams’ hard work at our garden centre in Jersey had been recognised. It was a great end to such a lovely day.”

Above: We can’t believe it, we’ve won! Katherine Ransom, director, Ransoms Garden Centre, and buyer Anna Bryant, with their Greats trophy.

Also overjoyed was Jo Williams, owner of Joco Interiors in Nuneaton, whose shop won the Best Newcomer – Midlands, North and Scotland category: “I was so amazed to hear my name called out that I don’t know how walked up to the stage without tripping over! I was looking back at my mum and she was crying her eyes out which made me well up too. Afterwards, I couldn’t stop smiling and shaking for 15 minutes. I can’t describe the feeling. It was truly incredible.”

Above: Tears of joy: Jo Williams, owner of Joco Interiors in Nuneaton, winner of the Best Newcomer – Midlands, North and Scotland category.

Another very happy winner was Maxine Ellison, director of Max and Melia, winner of the Independent Gift Retailer of the Year – London. Talking about her success she commented: “It was so surprising and thrilling to win our award. I opened the shop with my mother and business partner Jeanne almost six years ago. Unfortunately she was unable to make the awards but she deserves so much credit. Her style and eye for detail makes the shop and she has taught me so much. Thank you mum!”

Above: A delighted Maxine Ellison, owner of Max and Melia, winner of the Independent Gift Retailer of the Year London category, with her coveted Greats trophy.

Peter de la Mare, store manager at England at Home in Brighton, and winner of the Retail Employee award added: “When my name was read out as the winner I felt a sense of pride and found it heartening to be acknowledged by an industry that I am so passionate about.”