Member Article

“Feeling Great!“ Ilkley’s Nora’s Interiors and Gifts shortlisted in national awards

Multi-award winning Nora’s Interiors & Gifts has been shortlisted for another national accolade.

Shortlisted in the “Best Retail Display” category at The Greats gift retailer awards, the Ilkley-based independent store is hoping to add to its growing trophy cabinet when it goes head to head with national brands at the awards ceremony at the Savoy Hotel in London on Thursday 8 May.

No stranger to retail and business awards, the mother and daughter partnership business was winner of Independent Gift Retailer of the Year (North and Northern Ireland) in the 2013 event, winner of the Ilkley Carnival Shop Window Display competition in 2012 and awarded “New Business of the Year” in the 2011 Bradford Means Business Awards.

The Greats gift retailer awards are organised by Progressive Gifts & Home to recognise and reward the UK’s very best gift retailers across the retail spectrum. All retail finalists were decided as a result of an industrywide poll of gift suppliers, reps and agents followed by validation by a panel of experts.

Business owner Victoria Newhouse said: “The Greats Awards have become the industry accolades to strive for and pitches independent and “niche” retailers such as ourselves with the entire gift and home industry.

“Our shop window is incredibly important to the success of our business. We change it at least once a month and always aim to reflect the seasons, local events and use it to demonstrate our support for the local community.

“A shop window is so much more than a display area, it’s a window into our values, our locally sourced products and our passions. Our submission had examples of some of our most inspired displays including Christmas, Valentine’s and last year’s Ilkley Carnival and clearly, we struck a chord with the experts.”

At least 90 per cent of products sold at Nora’s come from the United Kingdom and with more than 40 suppliers the shop sells everything from recycled wool blankets and hand-stamped keepsake spoons to scented candles and typographic screen prints. The store is currently offering limited edition cycling memorabilia including 50 commissioned Ilkley Tour de France framed prints.

Victoria added: “We’re thrilled to have reached the finals for the second year running. We feel we’re banging the drum for Ilkley’s independent retail community and hope to bring a national retail title home to our town once again.”

For more information about Nora’s go to www.noras-shop.co.uk

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Nick Hancox .