A community-focused sustainable business has been nominated in a national competition.

The Ethical Gift Shop and Refillery in Huntly is up for the award where there are £1500 in Aberdeenshire Gift Cards as a possible prize.

The store said the support from the community – and the support they give in return – is at the heart of them being nominated for the accolade in the UK’s Favourite Local Business competition.

Husband and wife team Ellie and Martyn Turner founded their Duke Street shop 17 years ago and sell products with an eco-friendly theme, including handmade items created by crafters and local produce. It is also home to a food and toiletries refillery.

After previous careers in the civil service and the RAF, Ellie and Martyn are able to use their transferable skills in their business.

Ellie said: “When people buy from us, they’re supporting many businesses instead of one because the shop also supports a network of 80 local crafters.

“There is a real sense of community at the shop.

“People know we get a local produce delivery on a Monday, so will pop in then. Or they might come in for a chat and a bit of banter.

“They know they can buy just the amount they need, saving money, and we can tell them where every product is from.

“We know our customers so well, they’re more like friends now. There have even been times when we’ve had to go out for five minutes and a customer has offered to run the shop.

“It’s a two-way street and we’re so grateful for the support we’ve had.

“Before opening the shop, I was a PA, so I look after the administration and the organisational side, Martyn looks after the accounts, and even though I’m often the one at the till, we both like chatting to customers and being on the shop floor.

“Being a couple and working together definitely has its moments but we have a lot of laughs and we’re great friends, so that helps.”

The Ethical Gift Shop and Refillery has been a part of the Aberdeenshire Gift Card since it launched.

Almost 400 businesses in the region now accept the card. Ellie said it, and the competition, are important to encourage people to shop local.

She added: “The reality is the big online retailers don’t care about their customers in the same way as local businesses.

“Initiatives like the gift card redress the balance and help people to find us.

“We get a fair few gift cards spent with us at the shop and it’s a real positive for Aberdeenshire to have its own gift card.

“Being nominated as the UK’s Favourite Local Business is a lovely surprise, we’d shared the competition on social media but didn’t expect that people would take the time to vote for us.”

Shops, restaurants, salons, hotels and attractions in Aberdeenshire – and right across the UK – are all eligible to be the UK’s Favourite Local Business 2024.

People can nominate their favourite local business in the competition free at lovelocalwin.co.uk, giving the name of the business they think deserves to win and a reason.

The UK’s Favourite Local Business will be the one who has the most nominations and will win a £500 Town and City Gift Card or Scotland Loves Local Gift Card, such as the Aberdeenshire Gift Card, with one person who nominated the winning business receiving a £1000 Town and City Gift Card or Scotland Loves Local Gift Card.

Suzanne Rhind, Aberdeenshire Council’s strategic town centres executive, said: “We’re delighted to hear that Ellie and Martin have been nominated for the UK’s Favourite Business of the Year.

“The Ethical Gift Shop and Refillery was quick to sign up to the Aberdeenshire Loves Local Gift Card as it really saw the benefits for both the business and the wider community.

“Thanks to them and all our other supporting businesses, the scheme is becoming more and more popular, and we thank them all for their continuing support.”

Fintech Miconex, founders of the Town and City Gift Card concept, is sponsoring the UK’s Favourite Local Business 2024.

More than 20,000 businesses are part of Miconex’s local gift card programmes around the world with over £30 million spent locally through the cards.

Colin Munro is the managing director of Miconex and said: “It’s brilliant to see a nomination for the Ethical Gift Shop and Refillery in the UK’s Favourite Local Business – a huge advocate for local shopping and a supporter of the Aberdeenshire Gift Card from the outset. Keep on voting for your Favourite Local Business.”

Enter the UK’s Favourite Local Business competition free at www.lovelocalwin.co.uk

The contest closes on Thursday, October 31.

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