The Greats Awards 2021

Countdown To The Greats Awards 2021!

In a year that’s seen shops open and close and reopen again, and retailers, to include gift retailers, pulling out all the stops to go on trading, this September’s Greats Gift Retailer Awards are more important than ever, recognising and rewarding independents and multiples that have demonstrated a true fighting spirit to succeed.

With an exciting new London venue for 2021, join us on Thursday September 23 at London’s historic

Honourable Artillery Company (HAC), when the winners of The Greats Awards 2021 will be revealed!

With just a month to go, Thursday September 23 will see the winners of this year’s Greats Awards announced and crowned at a fabulous Awards event at Honourable Artillery Company (HAC) and Artillery Garden, located on the edge of London’s trendy Shoreditch area, on City Road.

“It’s a unique, vibrant venue that’s steeped in ancient history, and everyone who is a part of the gift industry is invited to join in the celebrations!” comments Progressive Gifts & Home’s editor Sue Marks. “Of course, this year’s Greats Awards will be extra special, bringing together all strands of the gift and home industry in a live event for the first time in two years, so expect lots of hugging!” adds Sue. The finalists were announced at the beginning of July, with James Webster, co-owner of Josie’s Interiors in Bideford, admitting to feeling a bit emotional. “I was so thrilled to hear that Josie’s is in the finals for the Best Lifestyle or Homewares store that it actually brought a tear to my eye!” admitted James.

At Maybugs in Hailsham, delighted coowner Greg Rose, a finalist in the Best

Above: Team Bug at Maybugs in Hailsham. Far left: The coveted Greats trophy. Left: The Honourable Artillery Company (HAC). Below: What better excuse for opening some bubbly! Jane Peakall, co-owner of Daisy Lanes in Rayleigh, celebrates the great news. Bottom left: James Webster and his team clink glasses at Josie’s Interiors in Bideford.

The Greats Sponsors 2021

To date, the impressive line-up of Greats sponsors include (in alphabetical order):

Candlelight; Carte Blanche Greetings (CBG); Gift Republic; GiftsandHome.net; The Giftware Association, Gisela Graham; Harrogate Christmas & Gift; Joe Davies; Life Charms: Progressive Gifts & Home; Premier Decorations; Progressive Greetings Live; Spring Fair and Autumn Fair and Wrendale Designs.

For remaining sponsorship opportunities, please contact Ian Hyder e: ianh@max-publishing.co.uk or Rob Willis e: robw@max-publishing.co.uk. For all other Greats enquiries, please contact Sue Marks on 020 8361 2055 or e: suem@max-publishing.co.uk. For more details, visit www.thegreatsawards.co.uk

Newcomer - South & Wales category, said: “It's been the most difficult year for everyone, so it's wonderful for Team Bug to be recognised in this way for their hard work. It means so much to all of us!"

In Essex, Jane Peakall, owner of Daisy Lanes in Rayleigh, exclaimed: “after such a tumultuous year, it’s so exciting to have some good news for a change!”

Meanwhile, at Yarnton Home and Garden, Yarnton, a finalist in the Best Garden Centre Retailer of Gifts category, excited gift buyer Bryony Taylor-Edwards enthused: “We’re jumping for joy! Two years of hard work sourcing beautiful gifts has finally paid off!”

There was more jumping for joy at the Jumping Bean in Beckenham and Honor Oak. “It’s amazing!” said co-owner Nilou Noorbaksh. “If only you could see the smiles behind our face-masks!”

Up in Scotland, Lisa Keogh, owner of Original Artists in Gourock, a finalist in the Gift Retailer of the Year - Scotland category, added: “we’re over the moon,” while in Troon, Claire O’Donnell, owner of The Herbary, a finalist in the same category, commented: “it’s been such a strange year. I feel so grateful to have been recognised.” At the other end of the country, sisters Ainslie Fowler, Tegan Mackay and Safi Mackie, coowners of The St. Ives Co., revealed: “just reaching the finals is a huge achievement and something we are already very proud of.”

As Keiron Cockley, co-owner of four Brocante gift stores in Cornwall, put it: “to receive a nomination from your industry peers is so special, and after a long year, the recognition that you are doing something right is wonderful.”

First launched in 2003, The Greats Gift Retailer Awards are owned and organised by Max Publishing and Progressive Gifts & Home Worldwide.

Visit www.thegreatsawards.co.uk

Left: Big smiles from a clearly delighted

Briony Taylor-Edwards, gift buyer at Yarnton

Home and Garden Centre.

Below: The team at Original Artists in

Gourock, shout about their success.

Below right: Big smiles from Ainslie

Fowler and her sisters at The St. Ives Co.

Below left: Smiles revealed! Nilou and

Terry, co-owners of the Jumping Bean.

An Invitation To The Greats Awards

All winners, to include the winners of the Best Service and Honorary Achievement Awards, will be announced at a live, glittering lunch and afternoon event at the Honourable Artillery Company (HAC) on Thursday September 23.

All strands of the gift and home industry are invited to share in this exciting, very special day.

How To Buy Tickets

To book tickets to The Greats Awards lunch on Thursday September 23, 2021, at the Honourable Artillery Company (HAC), contact awards manager Clare Hollick for tickets at Createvents tel: 01183 340085; e: clare@createvents.co.uk or visit Max-Tickets.net

Below: Thumbs up from Brocante’s co-owner Keiron Cockley, shown with colleague Marina Norman, content manager.

The Honourable Artillery Company: The Lowdown

l The Honourable Artillery Company (HAC) was established and incorporated with a grant of Royal Charter on August 25, 1537, “for the defence of the realm”. l The HAC has occupied Artillery Garden since 1641. l From the 17th century, the Company has been described as a regiment, and remains so to this day, as the oldest regiment in the British Army. l The HQ and Mess were built in 1734. l In 1964 it became a charity. l HRH Prince Philip was admitted as a member of the HAC on March 4, 1957, five years after the Queen became Captain General.