Indie retailers battle for trophy as National Stationery Week also nominated
Retail pals Sandra Jervis and Sarah Laker are back in competition as the British Office Supplies & Services Federation awards has pitched them against each other for the third year running – while the National Stationery Week campaign (spearheaded by Sarah) is also up for a BOSS trophy.
And Sandra, of Creative Cove in Lampeter, is hoping to put an end to Sarah’s winning streak for her Stationery Supplies stores in Marple and Wilmslow.
But the pair also have to contend with Lynn Cummings, manager at Jespers of Harrogate, and Elliot James, whose UOE Stores business has a nine-strong post office and stationery shop network, as the four battle it out as finalists in the BOSS independent retailer category.
Having lifted the trophy for three years on the bounce, Sarah is “so chuffed” to be a finalist again – doubly so as she’s also in line for Campaign Of The Year as the driver of National Stationery Week activities.
Thanking her “amazing” team of Molly, Joan, Linda, Paula and Angie for their “passion, dedication and a smile every day”, Sarah added: “This recognition belongs not just to me, but to everyone – it’s a shared achievement that I am deeply proud of.”
Since taking over organising the National Stationery Week campaign in 2023, Sarah has brought a renewed energy to it, and said: “I’m so chuffed to have been shortlisted. This year the whole stationery community, including suppliers, retailers and stationery users came together to create a wave of stationery love across the country.
“The entire campaign is run just by myself and my daughter Molly – and we do it as well as running two retail stationery shops! So, to be named in a shortlist that contains huge and respected names like Pukka Pads and Nestle, is nothing short of brilliant. We couldn’t do it without all our fantastic sponsors though. And, of course, I’ve already started planning for next year!
“Now the question is, do I need a new dress!”
Adding her endorsement Jakki Brown, managing director of Max Publishing, which now owns National Stationery Week as well as London Stationery Show, said: “Having known the lovely and talented Sarah Laker for many years, when we acquired London Stationery Show and National Stationery Week last year, myself and my co-directors had absolutely no hesitation in her continuing to head up the NSW campaign.
“Her tenacity and passion for all things stationery knows no bounds! With the plans in place for NSW 2025, awareness and engagement is set to reach new heights.”
UOE Stores, which has just expanded its London and Herts network into Surrey outlets, now covering Camden, Crouch End, East Finchley, Hertford, Muswell Hill, Potters Bar, Stoke Newington, Ware, and Reigate is on the best retailer shortlist for the second year running, with CEO Elliot commenting: “We’re delighted and honoured to be shortlisted.
“Our entire team across our nine retail stores, including our latest location in Reigate, are excited to see if we can win the trophy this time! Fingers and everything crossed.”
At Jespers, Lynn said she’s “absolutely elated that the business has been shortlisted, with current owners the Vickers family keeping it independent and supporting the local community in many ways. Lynn added: “They’ve taken Jespers into a new and exciting chapter and evolved the business yet again. The enthusiasm the Vickers family has brought to the business has been amazing and we’re now looking at ways to improve our ranges and promote the business further for the future.
“All this wouldn’t be possible though without our loyal customers and dedicated team who help the business to continue.”
“It’s always so uplifting to be recognised as doing a good job, and praise doesn’t get much bigger than being a finalist in a national award!” Sandra said.
“I live and breathe the shop – nothing gives me greater satisfaction than providing a beautiful space for you to visit. I love sharing my journey with you and seeing your delight in the goodies I find. So recognition like this means the absolute world to me, people other than my lovely customers recognising that there’s something special going on here.
“It’s incredibly validating when people in a huge industry such as ours recognise what you do and say it’s worth something. And that’s what entering the Boss Awards is all about – recognising your worth. It’s something we’re not really comfortable with doing, but when you get that little email that says, ‘hey, you’re a finalist’, you allow yourself that little bit of self-belief to grow.
“Good luck to the other finalists. it’s looking like it should be a fabulous night. Partayyyyy!”
The BOSS awards recognise and celebrate excellence within the UK business supplies industry and the winners of the 14 categories will be revealed at the celebrations on 28 November at The Eastside Rooms in Birmingham, the full list of finalists can be seen here.
