Beauly shop named best in Scotland
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BEAULY shop The Gift has received a welcome present itself – being named Scotland’s independent retailer of the year at The Greats, the only awards dedicated to the gift retail sector.
It was the second time that the shop, which is owned by husband and wife Hamish and Constance Wemyss, had been shortlisted for the award, but the first time The Gift had been represented at the glamorous awards ceremony held at the Grosvenor House in London.
"It was quite a prestigious and glitzy event," Mrs Wemyss said, adding that she was delighted and surprised by the shop’s success.
She also admitted to being surprised she had been able to take the substantial trophy aboard her flight home to the Highlands and bring it back to Beauly where it now has pride of place in the shop just off Beauly High Street.
Now in their 16th year, The Greats Awards recognise and celebrate the top independent and multiple gift retailers regionally and nationally, as well as niche retailers and garden centres, and outstanding retail employees.
The Gift was the only shortlisted retailer in the Highlands to make the final six Scottish retailers, and one of only two from north of the central belt.
Although shops can nominate themselves for the awards, The Gift was put forward by visitors from the retail sector.
This was followed by a visit from representatives of the judging panel, who had a look at the shop for themselves.
"You also had to say what you have been doing through the years," Mrs Wemyss added.
For The Gift, that has seen the shop evolve since its opening 16 years ago next month.
"We started off more as a life style store and then moved into gifts," Mrs Wemyss said.
"Then we started doing fashion and that really took off, so now we are half fashion and half gifts."
Following customer demand. she has also introduced an online shopping service, allowing shoppers to buy from The Gift wherever they are.
Mrs Wemyss acknowledged the win had been a great boost for her and her three staff, Joanne Gitsham, Rhona McAteer and Deirdre Urquhart.
"We’re all walking a bit taller after that," she said.
"We absolutely thrilled to have won and have been getting lots of positive feedback."
