Business news

The BV magazine, July ‘22 BUSINESS NEWS

Local cookshop beats Harrods and John Lewis to win top award

Wimborne’s popular independent cookware retailer Salamander Cookshop were celebrating last month, having won a prestigious Excellence in Housewares Award at a glittering ceremony at the Royal Lancaster Hotel in London. Often described as a traditional ‘emporium’, Salamander stocks over 5,000 different cookware products. All have been carefully curated by owners David and Ione Crossley, who took over the shop in 2019. There were seven other finalists in the category of Excellence in Retail Training, including Harrods and John Lewis. ‘We feel proud to be recognised alongside such an impressive range of leading national brands’ said the husband and wife team. ‘This award recognises our focus, our team really knowing the products we sell and us being able to share that knowledge and expertise with customers.’

It’s all in the training

David and Ione put the win down to their baked-in commitment to training. David said: ‘We came to the retail sector from education; we ran our own training consultancy helping to develop school leaders and teachers. Quite simply, as lifelong learners ourselves, great training is part of our DNA. With this background, a focus on learning about the cookware industry and its products was natural for us.’ All Salamander staff undergo online training with suppliers and leading cookware specialists, as well as attending workshops at places such as the Le Crueset kitchen in Andover. Ione said: ‘We believe we best serve our customers by offering genuine product knowledge and expertise as well as great customer service. We’ve developed an induction manual and we take every member of staff through the shop in sections so they can really get under the skin of what we sell – how it works, where it comes from, its benefits and features.’ Salamander was also a finalist in the Retail Initiative Category for its innovative approach. The couple have in-store demonstrations for customers, and during COVID held virtual cooking competitions and personal Zoom shopping.

Food walks

The couple are always looking for new ways to expand what they do, too. Their cooking events have proved very popular – one of their recent guest experts was Maggie Richardson from last year’s Great British Bake Off. Wimborne Food Walks is another venture which they jointly host with other businesses in the town. Ione said: ‘We’re delighted to partner with Dacombes of Wimborne, who allow us to use their demonstration kitchen. We love the town – the brilliant range of cafe and artisan food shops inspired us to run Food Walks where we showcase other local food businesses, such as East Street Deli, The Malthouse Bakery and Bells Fisheries.’ The cookshop also won Good Retailing Award in 2021 for its accessible website, effective use of IT and its creative newsletter which goes out regularly to over 800 subscribers. salamandercookshop.com

Shaftesbury and Sherborne Business Awards close this month - have you entered yet?

Two of North Dorset’s biggest business awards are closing this month - if you’re connected to a business based in Sherborne or Shaftesbury then now’s your chance to get your entry polished and sent off before the closing date.

Shaftesbury businesses

Entries for the inaugural Shaftesbury Business Awards opened in September, and organiser Nigel West of MW Events told the BV that over 50 entries and nominations were submitted in the first 24 hours. ‘The response has been incredible. The awards simply focus on promoting the range and quality of local businesses. Entry is free, businesses can enter as many categories as they wish, and they can also get their customers to nominate them.’ Entry deadline is on Monday 28th November, and the

Winners of the 2022 Sherborne Business Awards. Image: Laura Hitchcock awards ceremony will be at The Grosvenor Arms in Shaftesbury on Thursday 26th January.

Sherborne businesses

Sherborne Business Awards are back for their second year –entry deadline is 2pm on Friday 11th November, so get your entry double checked and completed! The Sherborne Awards Ceremony will be on Thursday 12th January. Nigel said: ‘We are proud to run grassroots business awards, focssing purely on the quality and range of local businesses. They are open to all – businesses, organisations and institutions – and I firmly believe that the awards should not simply be an excuse for a party. The focus is on the entries, not the event. However, it is a great opportunity for local businesses to get together.’

PROPERTY SPECIAL