Colleen Hill’s store lifts Scottish Independent Retail Award
Treasured has been named the best craft and gift store in Scotland with owner Colleen Hill and her team celebrating winning the Scottish Independent Retail Award.
And at the event in Glasgow last week, organised by awards owners’ Creative Oceanic, Ivad Gifts in Paisley marked its 20th anniversary in style with the highly commended certificate in the same category
“It’s still sinking in that we won,” Colleen said, “accepting this prestigious award for our Inverclyde and Ayrshire shops was truly a moment to cherish.
“The journey from nomination to victory was filled with anticipation and it’s heart-warming to see the support we received.
This recognition inspires us to continue thriving and making a positive impact in our local communities – I also want to say a massive thank you to my hero, my husband Matt, he puts up with a lot!”
Continuing the shop’s community impact, Colleen has just introduced a monthly charity donation initiative where she’s giving away 10 £15 vouchers each month as raffle prizes to charities and groups picked at random from those which put their names forward.
The first one was this month, with the winners being Greenock Light Opera Club, Kilt Walk – Shilaine Stevenson, Lady Alice Primary School, King’s Oak Primary School, 3rd Gourock Boys’ Brigade, Wellington Children’s Centre, Ardgowan Primary Ladies’ Day, Rainbow Family Centre, Moorfoot Primary School, and Prominence Academy of Performing Arts, and the next draw will be on 15 May.
The Scottish Independent Retail Awards had 35 categories including best butcher, coffee shop, florist, hardware store, record shop, and bespoke retailer, to the businesses that have displayed exceptional resilience and adaptability in the face of unprecedented challenges, showcasing their commitment to serving their communities and delivering memorable shopping experiences.
Indie retailers are nominated by the public then checked out by the judges who pick the finalists, and a public vote determines the winners.
Treasured beat nine other finalists – Gibbles Gift Shop, Anstruther; Haven’s Treasures, Stonehaven; Holly Mae’s & Crafts, Laurencekirk; Ivad Gifts; Simply Buteful, Rothesay; Sirology, Elgin; Scottish Experience, Edinburgh; Sunshine No.1, Glasgow; and A Scents Of Scotland, Kilmarnock – to the best craft and gift store title, while The Book Nook in Stewarton won the bookshop title, with Edinburgh’s The Fruitmarket Gallery Bookshop getting highly commended.
The full list of winners can be found here, and a spokesperson for the event said: “The awards have always strived to recognise and celebrate the remarkable achievements of independent retailers.
“This year’s winners have exemplified excellence in their sectors and have played a pivotal role in enhancing Scotland’s retail industry. We want to congratulate all of our winners and highly commended recipients on their accomplishments.”
