STAFF at a shop in Wellington are celebrating this week (December 10, 2018) after being awarded an accolade in the Best of the High Street awards.
The Emporium Somerset was shortlisted for Best Independent Homewares Retailer and scooped the top prize after receiving the most votes from the general public.
Cato Cooper, Co-owner of The Emporium Somerset on Mantle Street, which includes 59 different shops across three floors, selling thousands of home and gift items, said: “We are absolutely over the moon to have won this award for Best Independent Homewares Retailer and it is even more special as we were voted for by the general public.
“We’d like to say a huge ‘thank you’ to everyone who voted and to MP, Rebecca Pow, for organising the awards and being as passionate as we are about supporting small businesses and our thriving high streets. It is so incredibly important that awareness is raised about the fantastic, local businesses that are out there.
“In a happy coincidence to this award win, we have also recently launched our own Shop Somerset campaign and are encouraging people to think Somerset when it comes to buying their Christmas presents this year. Seventy percent of the items under our roof are made in the area, so it would be great if people opted to buy products from artisans and craftspeople like these in favour of big multinational companies. There aren’t just wonderful local, small businesses here under our roof, we have them across the area and we want to big-up everyone and hope awards like these draw attention to our town as a whole.”
The Best of the High Street awards were organised by Rebecca Pow, MP for Taunton Deane as part of Great British High Street Week to support the high street and the independent businesses trading on them.
Rebecca said: “Our high streets are facing a challenging time, but there are some superb independent businesses already operating across Taunton Deane, whether they be retail shops, service outlets or restaurants. I launched the ‘Best of High Street Awards’ because I believe we must shout louder about what they have to offer, and I am very grateful to all of those who voted.
“I would like to offer the staff at The Emporium Somerset my warmest congratulations, it is an inspiring place and a tremendous showcase for the cornucopia of products produced locally and needless to say a great place for Christmas shopping. The competition has clearly demonstrated what a wealth of unique, independent stores we have and I am humbled that it was so warmly received and well supported.”
The Emporium Somerset is home to more than 50 shopkeepers selling thousands of homeware, garden and gift items.
Housed in a Victorian chapel, it stocks cards, home accessories, furniture, home and garden wares, jewellery, antiques, stationery, knick-knacks and a small selection of children’s toys.
Cato added: “Our store is fresh, vibrant, light and airy with lots of inspirational, contemporary items, as well as traditional and vintage ones.
“Most of our shopkeepers’ products are either handmade here in the Westcountry, sourced from other British craftspeople and makers, or from ethical and Fairtrade companies. So, there are plenty of unusual items here for people to have a look at and they are reasonably priced too. By buying from us, shoppers are supporting the very backbone of the nation’s economy – small, independent, local businesses.”
As well as running the store, Cato also specialises in restoring furniture and runs a paint and home accessories studio and workshop in-store.
For further details, please call The Emporium Somerset on 01823 660076, email info@theemporiumsomerset.co.uk or visit www.theemporiumsomerset.co.uk.
