Sweet Williams in Pontardawe wins gift shop of the year
Mrs Emma Doyle runs Sweet Williams on 6-8 Herbert Street in Pontardawe.
The shop has 96 reviews on Facebook and a recommendation ratio of 96%, specializing in beautiful handmade gifts.
Sweet Williams is located on 6-8 Herbert Street. (Image: Emma Doyle) Mrs Doyle said: 'I am very much proud of our achievement. We have worked so hard. You only need to look at Trustpilot to see how many positive reviews we have. Now, to have recognition for that is fantastic.
'It's quite a big award. It started out as a hobby. We started in 2011 at home and then we got our first shop in 2016. So, we have had a presence on the high street for a number of years. We first had a studio and then we eventually got a shop.
Mrs Doyle started her business in 2011. (Image: Emma Doyle) 'The shop became available at the start of COVID, and we have been here ever since. My background before I started this business was in law. I started the business while I was on maternity leave.
'I'm always trying to put Pontardawe on the map. We are a huge champion of shopping local and independent and feel privileged to have a space to do this in Pontardawe.
'This is important because in the last couple of years it's been tough for businesses on the high street. So, to have support from the local community is fantastic.'
The store specialises in handmade gifts. (Image: Emma Doyle) Mrs Doyle was informed via email that she was nominated for the award, before a panel of judges looked at her business, including her reviews.
She will attend Ashton Gate Football Stadium in Bristol next month to attend an award ceremony and receive the accolade in person.
Mrs Doyle continued: 'We have supplied products for the Royal Family and received an award from Theo Paphitis from Dragons Den. But this award has been the icing on the cake.
'We just want to keep building our customer base. We still have so many people coming in who didn't realise we were here.
'We are a family business. My husband chips in, as do my children. My mum and dad also get involved. We even offer sowing workshops."
The business creates its own brand of textile products. (Image: Emma Doyle) Sweet Williams is a gift shop consisting of several retail spaces set over 4 floors.
The business has recently reopened its basement following a yearlong renovation project, which is now home to Welsh/locally sourced foodie treats and a pre-loved bookshop.
On the fourth floor, Sweet Williams creates its own brand of textile products, which are then supplied to over 200 stockists, helping other independent retailers to grow their presence on the local high street.
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