An Oswaldtwistle-based greeting card retailer is celebrating after winning a prestigious national industry award.
Cool!, owned by Tina Botterill, is based at retail favourite Oswaldtwistle Mills, and won the Best Independent Greeting Card Retailer in the North and Northern Ireland at the Retas.
The awards, held at the luxury Dorchester Hotel in London, were launched by Progressive Greetings magazine. They recognise the tremendous contribution that UK greeting card retailers, both large and small, make to the success of the industry.
Tina said: “I’m shell-shocked. The awards are always a fantastic event. After being in the trade for 30 years, it is such a huge honour to have won.
“All the other nominees came over to congratulate me and said the recognition was well overdue, which was so lovely of them.”
Cool! was nominated for the award by agents, reps and associated companies from the greeting cards industry.
The event brought together around 400 people from all walks of the greeting card trade for an afternoon of celebration. Renowned comedian Bob Mills was Master of Ceremonies and congratulated Tina personally on her win.
The judges looked at criteria such as innovative displays, an in-depth selection of product, as well as how the company has grown to make their decision.
“We started trading from Oswaldtwistle Mills eight years ago from a three metre space against a wall. We’ve grown massively and now occupy over 80 square metres”, said Tina.
“The only way is up now. The recognition from the Reta’s can only be good for business. We are going to make the most of it and grow the business as much as possible.”
As well as cards and gifts for all occasions, Cool stocks merchandise for Beatrix Potter, Winnie the Pooh, Paddington Bear, Thomas the Tank Engine, Angelina Ballerina, and many more.
Boyd Hargreaves, Managing Director of Oswaldtwistle Mills said: “We are delighted to hear that Cool has won this prestigious award. We have so many fantastic retailers in the Mill that it is wonderful to see one of them being recognised for their hard work.”
Oswaldtwistle Mills has a good history of winning awards itself. They were voted ‘Best Mill Shop or Factory Outlet’ in the entire UK for the sixth year running in 2010 by Group Travel Magazine. The Mill has also recently been accredited with Investors in People and been awarded The Most Friendly UK Operator by Coach Tours UK.
