Sandra Powell is the owner of The Candle Tree on College Street, and is in the running to be crowned as the UK’s favourite local business
A Gloucester gift shop owner is giving thanks to her loyal customers after being nominated in a nationwide search to find the UK’s favourite local business.
Sandra Powell set up unique gift shop The Candle Tree in 2015 as a place for people to find gifts in person. Located close to Gloucester Cathedral, Sandra says the shop is a celebration of all things beautiful:
“Gloucester is a picturesque city with some wonderful independent businesses. Tucked away on College Street, we’re fortunate to have a lovely view of Gloucester Cathedral. It was from this street that Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn entered the grounds of the Cathedral (then St Peter’s Abbey) when they visited Gloucester Cathedral in 1535. I couldn’t think of a better location to open my business.
“When I opened The Candle Tree in 2015, I wanted to create a shop that offered an eclectic collection of gifts from a variety of suppliers. There are items for home, birthdays, unique finds from local artists, and of course, candles.
“I’m very grateful to be nominated in the search to find the UK’s favourite local business, especially after the challenges of the last two years. There will always be online shopping, but we’re lucky that customers have continued to support us. Over time, customers have become more like friends because we’ve built up a relationship. Nothing beats buying a gift in person, and I think customers appreciate the choice to do that here in Gloucester.
“During the pandemic, we introduced click and collect, and are always looking at ways we can improve our offering for customers, whether that’s what we stock or how we stock it. A huge thank you to our amazing customers who voted for The Candle Tree, it is so nice to be nominated.
“Whether we win, or another local business wins, what matters is that we are celebrating our local businesses in Gloucester, appreciating each other, and encouraging local shopping.”
The Gloucester Gift Card was introduced by Gloucester Business Improvement District (BID) in 2019 as a way to encourage local shopping and keep spend locked into the area. Cards can be spent with over 80 city businesses, and are available in both physical and digital versions.
Sandra adds: “It’s great to have the Gloucester Gift Card in our city. It’s a way that you can give a local gift where the benefit stays in the city. It’s also a way for people to enjoy Gloucester, and experience our cafés, shops, restaurants and attractions through the card.”
Gloucester’s Gift Card is part of the Town & City Gift Card initiative active across the UK and Ireland. Town & City Gift Cards is sponsoring the Help Us Find The UK’s Favourite Local Business competition.
Any local business can be nominated, with the business receiving the most votes being crowned as the UK’s favourite. The UK’s favourite business, and one person who nominated them, will receive £500 of gift cards.
Claire Knight, Marketing & Business Engagement Lead at Gloucester BID said: “We’re proud to see a nomination for one of our wonderful Gloucester businesses in the search for the UK’s favourite local business. Our local businesses make Gloucester one of the best cities in the UK to live, work and visit, contributing to the vibrant, welcoming atmosphere. Please continue to vote for your favourite Gloucester businesses.”
Colin Munro, managing director of Miconex said: “The competition to find the UK’s favourite local business is designed to shine a light on local, and all of the unique local businesses who go above and beyond each and every day to provide unique products and outstanding customer service. The winning business will be announced on the 21st December 2022. Good luck to The Candle Tree and other Gloucester businesses.”
Vote for The Candle Tree and any other local business for free at www.lovelocalwin.co.uk.
Voting closes on the 21st December 2022.
