Sussex Retailer Wins 'Small Business Britain Award'

Sunday, 21 May 2023 06:00

John Dale and Greg Rose outside their Hailsham Store

East Sussex independent retailer Maybugs, has won the national 'High Street Hero' award at the Small Business Britain Awards in London.

At the ceremony on 18th May co-owners Greg Rose and John Dale were presented their award by TV presenter Sue Perkins and Dan Welch from TSB Business Banking.

John Dale and Greg Rose at The Small Awards

Maybugs who have stores in Bexhill, Eastbourne and Hailsham were shortlisted last month alongside seven other independent retailers from across the UK, who are an active member of their community and work to drive footfall to their business and neighbouring businesses.

On winning the award Greg Rose said:

"We are just gobsmacked to have won the High Street Hero award. To be recognised as the best independent high street business in the UK for all the community work we do is amazing.

"When we set up Maybugs six years ago, we could never dreamt of winning such an important accolade and it drives us to grow Maybugs and build further on its success."

The Small Business Britan Award comes just seven days after Maybugs were awarded The Best Retailer Initiative award at The Greats, a Gift Industry Award Ceremony recognising outstanding Gift Retailers across the country.

John Dale said:

"We've always believed that we can only be successful if the towns in which we are in are successful too, and we will continue to keep promoting all the independents local to our stores to benefit the towns as a whole."

The High Street Hero Award is sponsored by TSB, Adeel Hyder, Business Banking Director at TSB said:

"We're proud to support smaller, independent businesses. Businesses like Maybugs, who bring character to our local communities and help fuel their success.

"It's well known how much small businesses contribute to their local communities, but generally they're not recognised formally for this. This is a fantastic opportunity to put smaller businesses like Maybugs, who have an outsized impact and power our local economies in the spotlight.

"That's why we are so proud to support the Small Awards for the fourth consecutive year."