AN INDEPENDENT shop in Ilkley has been nominated for a national award.

Little Beacon, a hand printed textiles store, and it's neighbouring shop under the same roof, Community Cutlery, on Leeds Road, Ilkley has made it to the top 20 of the Holly & Co, Independent Awards.

Despite the business venture only being on the high street for four months, they are up for winning the High Street Shop of the Year.

Rachel Walker, 31, owner of Little Beacon said: "We have been nominated under the name 31 Leeds Road which is a collective of shops and we share an entry way. I'm in Little Beacon hand printed textiles, gifts for the home and kids. and the other business is Community Cutlery which is knife sharpening workshop which also sells knives and kitchenware."

"I think the reason we have got where we have in the awards is because we're using using one space to have two businesses and they really liked the idea of having a high street shop with two independent businesses inside."

Both businesses have been open online for two years, but moved to the shop in July this year.

Rachel, a self-taught printer said: "I needed a new studio space and the building used to be offices and they had really amazing windows so I looked around it for my online business and wholesale kind of things but then I realised it would make a really nice shop. It was a very lucky coincidence that then we decided to open a shop.

"It's been so nice to meet customers and invite customers in for workshops and things like that, it all happened really naturally which was nice."

There are six categories for the awards which are run by British entrepreneur, Holly Lee Tucker MBE.

Rachel added: "Holly Tucker is an impactful woman when it comes to small businesses and she's a huge supporter of small independent brands.

"We're so happy and blown away, to be in the top 20 is such an honor, and if we get into the top six for the final, that would be even better but we're just really happy to be acknowledged and to see that what we're doing is interesting and a bit different."

Loyal customers of the store have been voting to get 31 Leeds Road to the final.

For more information, visit https://holly.co/campaign-christmas-2021/independent-awards/high-street-shop/