Two North East Lincolnshire businesses top the charts as most loved businesses in the UK for Love Local Day.
The annual event which began in 2019 and is run by digital shopping platform, LoveAppy, takes place on February 14 and recognises the UK’s most loved local businesses.
Twenty businesses were selected from the thousands of nominations and provide a great representation of great British high streets.
And two local businesses, It Started with a Stitch in Grimsby, and The Secret Wardrobe in Cleethorpes made that top 20.
This is what the panel said about the winners:
It Started with a Stitch in Grimsby – the passion of the business owner in supporting community and fellow makers shined through “Gemma took the leap to open her own shop and fulfil a personal dream and then lockdown came the day after she opened. So, after 2 years she is thriving and she is such a champion for other local businesses and communities. She shines inside and out!”
The Secret Wardrobe in Cleethorpes – staff honesty and friendliness was at the fore of many of their nominations “Staff super friendly, professional and helpful, kept my spirits up during lockdown when delivering, socially distanced and safely. Items they sell are superb, excellent value. My favourite shop in Cleethorpes.”
The Top 20 selected businesses will receive thank you gifts purchased from other local businesses in their area on Love Local Day.
Cllr Callum Procter, Cabinet member for economic growth, said: “This is absolutely brilliant news, and I’m delighted to see how much people have appreciated their local businesses, spending the time to send in nominations.
“Last Saturday, we had the LOVE YOUR TOWN event in Grimsby led by The Culture House and supported by the Government’s Welcome Back Fund. This saw hundreds of people enjoying street entertainment, art installations, family yoga and crafting, music and more while they shopped. The LOVE event is spreading to Immingham on Friday and Cleethorpes on Saturday this week, and I’d love people to get out in their local area and support local businesses as part of this.”
Record nominations were received for Love Local Day, a campaign that asks people to nominate their most loved local businesses from across the UK. Nominations have been submitted from over 200 towns and cities across the UK for the event that is championed by local shopping and high street advocates ShopAppy.com. More than 25 local businesses from across North East Lincolnshire were put forward as most loved, with two from our area topping the charts.
Dr Jackie Mulligan, Founder of Love Local Day, ShopAppy and expert on the Government’s High Street Task Force said “We have been overwhelmed by the nominations this year. It is clear that there is a growing emotional connection to local businesses following the pandemic. The content of nominations in 2022 is more focused on the social role of high street businesses beyond products to their ethical and community values. We have also seen an increase in nominations for cafes too which is a positive sign of the economy opening up and the experience economy becoming ever more important for high streets and town and city centres.”