Wave Of Nostalgia, Hedgehog Bookshop and Little Boat Gifts earn recognition
A bunch of indie greeting card retailers have been making the news recently picking up national and local awards for service and business acumen.
Wave Of Nostalgia’s Diane Park travelled from Howarth to London on Friday, 11 October, for the Best Business Women Awards, where she was delighted to receive a Silver Award in the Best Business category, as can be seen in the reel below.
From her bookshop that focuses on strong women, LGBTQ and conversation-themed books, cards, and gifts, Diane said: “What a great night – and a real trophy to take home, too! We’ll be back next year for a Gold one
“Ian and I had an amazing time at the Best Business Women Awards 2024, I’m so excited and proud to be part of this wonderful strong women awards celebration.”
One of the UK’s most prestigious awards for business women, there is no voting with the winners chosen by a panel of experts based on the information supplied, and the ceremony at the Hilton London Syon Park was hosted by actor and presenter Clare Hingott.
Over in Penrith, the Hedgehog Bookshop – a 2023 Retas Award winner – won the town’s Best Independent Shop in the Stars Of Business Awards from the Chamber Of Trade And Commerce.
“We’re thrilled to have won,” said owner Evonne Pearson, “it was a fantastic night and a huge thank you to everyone who voted for us.”
And Little Boat Gifts’ owners Olivia and Peter Reilly have rounded off a very good year with a highly commended in High Street Heroes category of the Tendring4Growth Business Awards, where she was also one of the speakers at the event, sharing her experiences of operating in the district
Olivia said: “A big thank you to everyone who nominated us. It was a lovely evening and great to see so many Brightlingsea businesses getting recognition.”
Olivia was also a finalist in the High Street Hero category at this year’s Small Awards, as well as being one of the six finalists in the Best Non-Specialist Independent Retailer Of Greeting Cards South at this year’s Retas Awards.
And she’s a key member of the Small Business Britain campaign, visiting the Houses Of Parliament twice this year as part of f:Entrepreneur which celebrates the inspirational businesses run by women in the UK.
