As sponsor of the Non Specialist Retailer category of the industry’s The Greats Awards, Talking Tables congratulates winner Bringing the Outside In from Well-Next-The-Sea and all the other winners and finalists. A very enjoyable evening  ended on a complete high when our founder Clare Harris was presented with The Greats Outstanding Achievement Award, sponsored by the British Allied Trades Federation.

Presenter Sue Marks, editor of Progressive Gifts magazine, described Clare as “a tablescaping pioneer before the word was even invented”, adding: “The special individual we recognise tonight has certainly made an impact - not just in what they have achieved, but how, through their pioneering, their volition, and their big picture thinking, they have brought so many others along on their journey to make our sector, and our world, a better place.

“They passionately believe that business can be a force for positive social and environmental change, setting purpose over profit, as testified by the B Corp accreditation the company received last year, as well as Great Place to Work status.

“But instead of keeping everything they’ve learned to themselves, tonight’s recipient has been generous, actively spearheading a sustainable charge in the gift industry, working with the Giftware Association to host gatherings, openly inviting fellow gift companies to share in their wealth of in depth knowledge.”

Accepting the award from Louise Hadfield, head of central services for the British Allied Trades Federation, Clare said:  “The evening at the Royal Lancaster Hotel was a wonderful celebration of the gift industry which is so vital to stop and celebrate as we all know that the buying and giving of gifts is a fundamental part of our personal lives; sharing a moment of kindness between our friends and family. In addition, it drives the rationale and all our energies for the work we do on and with so much of the high street. I am very humbled to have been acknowledged as helping our industry in some small way. I hope I can go on and help further, as each year we all want freshness in our gift choices and within the retailers we shop at.  So, plenty more to do. 

“As a shopper myself, I see myself parking more and more outside a non-typical retailer and being tempted in from a ramble to a unique style of shop, so I was delighted to award the Non-Specialist Retailer of Gifts to “Bringing the Outside In”, based in Wells-Next-The-Sea and I hope to visit it to see their work in the most beautiful looking setting.”