Last night (Sunday 7th February) saw the exciting finale of the awards for the best dressed shop in Grayshott. Judging is done twice a year, in the spring period and during the winter period, with marks awarded for cleanliness, shop display and general shop appearance. Marks are added up, but results are not known until the presentation dinner.

Cllr Sam James, the Hampshire County Councillor representative for Grayshott, attended the dinner and made the presentations, with BIG's own photographer, Phil O'Connor, on hand to record the event.

Dick Smith, chairman of BIG, stated that standards seem to be higher than ever and it was becoming ever more difficult separating many of the businesses. Certificates were presented to both winners and runners-up in each category as well as the overall winner with over-all runner-up.

The event was held in the Fox & Pelican Restaurant in Grayshott, who put on a superb spread. The restaurant was filled with excited members as it finally came to announcing the winners.

There were four category winners being:

Enchantment, Gurkha Durbar, Grayshott Books & Simmons Interiors

and four category runners-up who were:
Amelie, Grayshott Pottery, Kaighin & Daughter & Zaman Opticians.

They all received framed certificates

However, as it came to announce the overall winner and runner-up, the excitement continued to mount when it was announced that TWO shops both had the highest number of points. These were: AMITY & BLAZE HOUSE ART.

As there could only be one winner, an independent mystery shopper was sent out to judge both shops and choose a winner. She had an extremely hard task but eventually the decision was made.

To tremendous applause the trophy, together with a bottle of champagne and a large framed certificate was awarded to Mary Vickers of AMITY.

She was absolutely surprised, delighted and stunned with the award, but managed to say how pleasing it was that the efforts of her staff were so well recognised.

BLAZE HOUSE ART, the runner-up for the second year running, received a large framed certificate and some champagne, and were the first to congratulate Mary on her victory.

Cllr Sam James commented that the competition was a great idea and felt sure that the community at large appreciated the efforts so many businesses put in to make shopping in Grayshott not just a pleasant experience, but an attractive one as well.

He was further delighted to announce that he had persuaded HCC to contribute £1,000 from his devolved fund to the Grayshott in Bloom scheme run by the Buy in Grayshott campaign. Caroline Kaighin, who was organising this years scheme, was absolutely delighted and added that it would enable the village to have a much improved scheme to the previous year.

For further details contact: Dick Smith - 01428 608666
E-mail: dick-smith@supalife.com

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