Meet the John Cussell Independent Retailer of the Year finalists for the Grantham Journal Business Awards 2025
In the run up to this year’s Grantham Journal Business Awards, we’ll be introducing you to all our finalists.
The awards, sponsored by Pentangle Engineering Services and Enva, are the longest established awards of their kind in the area, recognising the very best businesses across Grantham.
The ceremony will be held in the stunning marquee at Arena UK Allington, on Friday, November 21, where finalists in our categories will be treated to a drinks reception, sponsored by Listers, followed by a delicious meal.
This week we’re meeting our John Cussell Independent Retailer of the Year Award category finalists. They are: Olive Tree, Scots Hair Design Ltd and The Reading Room.
Laura van Boven opened independent bookshop The Reading Room in The George Centre in February.
She said: “We opened with the aim of being a welcoming sanctuary for readers of all ages. Alongside our carefully curated selection of books, we host author events, reading groups, and community gatherings.
“We’re thrilled to be shortlisted and grateful to our wonderful community of readers who make The Reading Room such a special place.”
Claire Carrington is the owner of OIive Tree, a home and giftware shop in Westgate, Grantham. The store opened in November last year and sells a range of curated pieces from UK brands and designers, including local artists and makers.
“Our aim is to create an uplifting, relaxed space where customers can enjoy the shopping experience, receive friendly personal service and find something unique for themselves, their homes and their loved ones. Our town is special in lots of ways and we hope Olive Tree can contribute to the new wave of positive changes, alongside other independent businesses and organisations, to help put it on the map as a vibrant, creative town,” said Claire.
“Considering the short amount of time we've been trading, I was humbled that Olive Tree was nominated for the John Cussell Independent Retailer of the Year award, so being selected as a finalist is really special. Whatever happens now, to have the shop deemed worthy of consideration alongside two other great town-centre businesses is confirmation that we're on the right track and testament to the level of dedication of the Olive Tree team.'
Jennifer Lowe who runs Scots Hair Design in Grantham is also nominated in the Businessperson of the Year category.
She said: “Leading Scots Hair Design is both my passion and my privilege, and this recognition reflects not just my own journey, but the hard work, creativity, and dedication of the whole Scots team. Together we’ve built a salon that values education, teamwork, and exceptional client care, and I couldn’t be prouder.”
Our finalists are:
Best Social Enterprise (Sponsored by PVS Media) - Grantham Foodbank and the Rotary Club of Grantham.
Business Innovation (Sponsored by South Kesteven District Council) - Angel Med Ltd, PVS Media and ZeroSmart Ltd.
Environmental Champion (Sponsored by Enva) - Project Waste, St Wulfram's Church and ZeroSmart Ltd.
Customer Care (Open for sponsorship) - Domestic Bliss Specialist Cleaning Services Ltd, Inara Systems Ltd and Primrose and Bee Design.
Employee of the Year (Open for sponsorship) - Callum Kurtis of Rocket Door Frames, Sarah Tinkler of Oak Mortgages and Sophie Hull of Mark Bates Ltd.
Business of the Year (Sponsored by Downtown) - JRL Brickwork Ltd, Tribe Leisure Ltd and WCF Chandlers.
From our shortlisted businesses, our panel of judges will also choose an overall winner to receive our Judges’ Prestige Award.
With grateful thanks to our headline sponsors Pentangle Engineering Services and Enva, category sponsors Downtown, PVS Media and South Kesteven District Council, event programme sponsor Hood Parkes and Co, drinks reception sponsor Listers BMW, winner’s champagne sponsor Reflect Recruitment, table sponsor Domestic Bliss, decoration sponsor Party Balloons and Events and trophy sponsor Iconic Engineering Solutions.