IRC’s Best Small Shops competition gets underway

Tuesday, 24 July 2018 Mark Sutton

Celebrating the diversity and innovation of Independents, nominations for Britain’s Best Small Shops competition are now being taken by the Independent Retailers Confederation.

Having run in 2011 and 2015, the Best Small Shops competition has roots with the All Party Parliamentary Small Shops Group who set up the nationwide campaign, which returns for 2018 in a more ambitious format.

The competition is open to any UK independent retailer; defined as a non-corporate business selling goods or services to the public for use or consumption rather than for resale, from a business rated premises in the UK.

Against a tide of high-profile closures the IRC are seeking smaller retailers who have demonstrated agility and innovation in a changing market.

The competition comes at a time when the UK bicycle business has created Local Bike Shop Day, a celebration of the talent found within Britain’s independent bike shop. To get involved with the October 6th event, contact the organiser here, or register your store here.

In 2015 the shortlisted retailers attended a reception at the Houses of Parliament where they had the opportunity to meet with MP’s, trade representatives and other shortlisted independent retailers before the winner, Hunters of Helmsley was announced.

The competition will close in early September and 25 of the most impressive applications will be selected for a final shortlist which is submitted to a judging panel made up of key figures from the independent retail industry. These retailers will be invited to attend the competition reception in autumn 2018, where the winner will be awarded the title of Best Small Shop 2018.

Submit your entry

The entries for 2018’s Best Small Shop competition are open now. To enter the competition you will need:

to be an independent retailer i.e. a non-corporate business selling goods or services to the public for use or consumption, from a business rated premises in the UK.
to have a listing on the Indie Retail directory. If you don’t already have a listing you can create one for free here.