Moray firm is best in Scotland
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David Robertson with his award
MORAY has scored a major business success, with an Elgin gift shop winning a prestigious national award less than a year after opening its doors for the first time.
Bijou, based in Elgin’s Batchen Street, scooped the best independent gift shop in Scotland prize at The Greats Awards ceremony in London.
The store was also named in the top four contemporary jewellery retailers in the UK, and has been shortlisted for top greeting card retailer in Scotland.
Owner David Robertson said he was thrilled that all the hard work which had gone into developing the successful town centre shop had been recognised with the award.
Bijou, which also stocks lifestyle gifts and boasts a coffee shop and restaurant, only opened in June last year.
It is part of the Pozzi Ltd group which also includes the J. P. Pozzi newsagents store in Buckie and card, gift and jewellery outlets both in Elgin and Buckie.
Since taking over from the former Giles Café Bar in Batchen Street, Mr Robertson said the Bijou shop has created 15 jobs and enjoyed a successful start during one of the most difficult trading environments in recent memory.
He added that his business is launching a new e-commerce website later this year which he hoped would lead to additional employment.
“I am delighted that the building and the hardwork that has gone into it has been recognised,” he said.
“It is a great credit to all involved, and I have been overwhelmed by the support of the people of Moray for the new venture.”
He said Bijou, which houses jewellery from some of the leading brands and up-and-coming young designers, just missed out on winning the UK’s top contemporary jewellery retailer prize to a chain of London stores.
The Greats Awards brings together the entire gift industry, and are presented and organised by Progressive Gifts and Home Worldwide.
Mr Robertson said: “The UK gifts industry is dynamic, innovative and vibrant
and widely regarded as the best in the world, and these awards aim to reward those who are at the forefront.”
Bijou is also in the final five for the country’s greeting card retailer of the year, which will be announced in early July.
