MP announces independent shop contest winner
GOSPORT MP, Dame Caroline Dinenage, has congratulated Alverstoke Village Hardware for winning the Constituency’s Best Independent Shop 2024 award; thus ending a competition that received over 750 nominations across eighty businesses and a figure of 1250 votes being case on Small Business Saturday as the top ten went head-to-head.
In its fourth year, this competition gives constituents the chance to celebrate the wonderful local small independent shops, restaurants and businesses across Gosport, Lee on the Solent, Stubbington and Hill Head; particularly after the Covid-19 pandemic and lockdowns. Previous winners have been A Slice of Vinyl, Alverstoke Village Hardware and Indelible Ink.
Finishing Touches Gift Shop in Lee on the Solent was named as runners up alongside P&Js Food Ltd in Gosport and Boutique by the Sea in Lee on the Solent; the three businesses contesting a close fight with the eventual winners as votes were cast on December 7 to mark the annual focus on small businesses in the run-up to Christmas.
Caroline offered her thoughts as the winner was announced earlier this week: “I am delighted that Alverstoke Village Hardware have been named as Gosport’s Best Independent Shop for the second time in this competition! I want to congratulate all of the business which were nominated, it shows how much local people appreciate the quality, service and individuality of our independent traders.”
She continued to state: “Over the weekend, the CEO of Family Business UK stated the Government’s budget will have a severe and long-lasting impact on family businesses and millions they employ – so it is more important now than ever to show independent businesses that they have our full support.”
PICTURED BY DAME CAROLINE DINENAGE MP: Local Member of Parliament poses with the winners of Constituency’s Best Independent Shop 2024 award.
