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Industry ‘Greats’ Reactions From Finalists “Beyond Excited!” Say Gift Retailers Whoops of delight could be heard from the finalists of The Greats Awards 2022 (see pages 24-25) with gift retailers up and down the UK thrilled to share their initial reactions at the exciting news! “This couldn't have come at a better time! We needed the morale boost after such horrible news of Ukraine and the rise of electricity costs,” commented Priya AuroraCrowe and Dominic Crowe, co-owners of nine Lark stores in South London, finalists in the Best Special Multiple Retailer of Gifts category. “This made our day after a horrible week of floods and low footfall,” said Jon May, co-owner, Mooch Gifts & Home in Bewdley and Stourporton-Severn, a finalist in the Best In-Store/Display category. “The news really lifted our spirits, and we did a happy dance in both stores!”
In Hinckley, mother and daughter Trudy Tebbutt and Tilley Rathie, co-owners of Marmalade Meringue, a finalist in the Independent Gift Retailer of the Year - Midlands and Wales category, exclaimed: “We are absolutely over the moon. Royal Lancaster hotel here we come!” added a delighted Tilley. Also sharing her excitement was Judy Evans, owner of Williams of Audlem in Audlem, a finalist in the Independent Gift Retailer of the Year - North, Northern Ireland and Scotland category. “Wow! Celebrating with a glass of
NEWS Celebrating The GOTY Finalists
fizz! I cannot wait to dust down my party frock for the awards evening, with the chance to meet and mingle with fellow finalists and industry elites! Beyond excited!” Further North, Scott Nicol, co-owner of Keepsake Scotland in Inverness, Loch Lomond, Pitlochry and Stirling, a finalist in the Best Specialist Multiple of Gifts category, declared: “What fantastic news! We’re absolutely buzzing to have reached The Great Awards 2022 finals here at Keepsake Scotland! The team are over the moon!” At the other end of the country, equally thrilled was Jo Webber, co-owner of Jo Amor in Tiverton, a finalist in the West and South West category. “This is great news and such an honour for our happy place in Tiverton. So proud to be part of such a kind, supportive industry.” Meanwhile at Yarnton Home and Garden, Yarnton, finalists in the Best Garden Centre Retailer of Gifts category, visual merchandising manager Celia Leeson-Cox exclaimed: “Bowled over with excitement! Absolutely thrilled! We’re looking forward to a fabulous evening on 12 May.” Visit www.thegiftawards.com Visit www.thegreatsawards.co.uk Above: Huge smiles and a big thumbs up from Jo and Mike Webber, owners of Greats finalist Jo Amor in Tiverton. Above left: Celebrating the wonderful news at Keepsake Scotland in Loch Lomond, from left to right: owner Scott Nicol; sales advisors Tracey Barnes and Jacqueline Simpson and store manager Karen Hamilton.
The Gift Awards Unite The Gift Industry The Gift Awards event ceremony, to be held at London’s glittering Royal Lancaster hotel will bring together The Giftware Association’s Gift of the Year Awards and The Greats gift retailer awards - currently celebrating their 20th milestone year - organised and owned by Max Publishing, publishers of Progressive Gifts & Home/GiftsandHome.net. At the lavish awards event, both gift product excellence and retail prowess will be recognised and rewarded. Tickets and tables for the awards event on 12 May can be booked via the Max Publishing digital box office event at Max-Tickets.net, or by contacting event organiser Createvents: clare@createvents.co.uk or 0118 334 0085. To find out more about The Gift Awards and book tickets, visit www.thegiftawards.com and www.thegreatsawards.co.uk Right: London’s Royal Lancaster hotel will be home to The Gift Awards on 12 May.
After an exciting day’s judging at Spring Fair in February, (see pages 27-29), the six finalists in the GOTY categories were announced by The Giftware Association, (see pages 31-33 for the full listing), with the winners revealed at the inaugural The Gift Awards taking place at the Royal Lancaster hotel in London on 12 May. (See The Gift Awards Unite The Gift Industry). The GA’s ceo, Sarah Ward, confirmed that the judging had been a huge success. “It was great to be back to live judging again as it was sorely missed last year,” she stated. Above: The Giftware Association’s ceo Sarah Ward.
The Fabulous Sponsors The Gift Awards 2022 enjoys a strong roster of sponsors including Spring Fair and Autumn Fair as headline supporter, plus: Abysse Corp; Ankorstore; Brand Licensing Europe; British Allied Trades Federation (BATF); Candlelight; Cardzone; Carte Blanche Greetings; Faire; Gift Republic; Gisela Graham; Home & Gift Harrogate; Joe Davies; Lesser & Pavey; Life Charms; Progressive Greetings Live; Talking Tables; Top Drawer and Widdop and Co. Visit www.thegiftawards.com
Having A Giggle At The Awards Stand-up comedian Charlie Baker will be bringing his unique style of comedy to the Royal Lancaster hotel on 12 May as he takes on the hosting duties for the inaugural The Gift Awards. (See The Gift Awards Unite The Gift Industry). In addition to comedy, Charlie - an actor and acclaimed jazz singer - has appeared on The Last Leg; Harry Hill’s Tea Time; Comedy Central at the Comedy Store; The Great British BakeOff: An Extra Slice; Never Mind The Buzzcocks; Edinburgh Comedy Fest Live; The Dog Ate My Homework and Channel 4’s Comedy Gala. An avid sports fan, he can also be heard on Talksport every Saturday for the Game Day Warm Up as well as covering on weekdays on Hawksbee & Jacobs. Since his debut solo hour in 2009, which won him the Mervyn Stutter Spirit of the Fringe Award, Charlie has become a staple act of the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. He is currently supporting Jack Dee on his tour and will working on his brand-new stand-up show. Above: Comedian Charlie Baker will be making guests laugh at The Gift Awards in May.
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