Latest news with #HelenaMcLay
Daily Record
a day ago
- Business
- Daily Record
Family-run Scottish DIY store crowned Britain's Best Small Business
The store's witty Scots name impressed the public and judging panel A family-run DIY shop in Dunoon has nailed it, quite literally, by being crowned Britain's Best Small Business Name for 2025. Dae It Yersel, a well-loved fixture in the Argyll town, saw off competition from more than 2,000 other small businesses across the UK to win the coveted title, along with a £2,500 cash prize from small business insurer Simply Business. The name, a playful Scots take on Do It Yourself, clearly struck a chord with the public and judging panel, which included entrepreneur and The Apprentice winner Harpreet Kaur. From landscaping company Back to the Fuchsia and restaurant Balti Towers to pub The Nobody Inn and food truck Pietanic, the competition was stacked with witty entries that showcased the creativity of Britain's entrepreneurs. Helena McLay, co-owner of Dae It Yersel, said the win means a great deal to her family. 'Dae It Yersel has been family-owned since my mother, father and then-20-year-old brother took over a tiny wee DIY shop in 1970,' she said. 'I've been around the shop since I was 3, and used to spend my after-school hours and school holidays here.' Helena, who now runs the business alongside her nephew, added: 'The name is obviously the Glaswegian or Scots version of 'Do It Yourself'. For both myself and my nephew... the shop has always been a part of our lives, it is the heart and soul of the family. "There have been many tough times, from losing my mum, dad, and brother to COVID, but there are far more rewarding times and lifelong friendships that have arisen from our years in Dae It Yersel. We couldn't be more delighted to have won.' She also shared a charming anecdote: 'We often get people standing across the road taking photos of the shop name, and the furthest travelled pic was sent to us by someone who had visited Dunoon from New Zealand and sent their photo into a magazine with the heading 'How's this for getting the message over to the locals'.' The business name contest, now in its latest edition, celebrates the originality and spirit of the UK's small business community. Simply Business also commissioned research which revealed that 51 percent of shoppers are more likely to support a business if its name makes them smile. Julie Fisher, UK CEO of Simply Business, praised the result: 'It's clear from the voting that Dae It Yersel are a hugely popular small business in their local community. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. We hope this recognition brings added positive attention for the business, and that our £2,500 cash prize helps them celebrate during what is a challenging period for many SMEs.' Harpreet Kaur, who helped judge the entries, added: 'It was so heartening to see the character woven into every single small business name we judged, reflecting the passion and dedication of the thousands of entrepreneurs who entered. "Dae It Yersel should be incredibly proud to have won the public vote; it's a testament to their unique appeal and the genuine connection they've built with their local community.' Helena has no doubt how the family will mark the occasion: 'I'll have to bake a cake to celebrate! We'll definitely have to have a BBQ with our staff to thank them for being a part of the business.'
Scottish Sun
2 days ago
- Business
- Scottish Sun
Popular shop in Scots town wins BEST store name in the UK
One person travelled all the way from New Zealand to visit the shop 'DELIGHTED' Popular shop in Scots town wins BEST store name in the UK A SCOTTISH shop called Dae It Yersel has won a competition to find the best shop name in Britain. The DIY store in Dunoon in Argyll and Bute fought off competition from 2,200 other small firms across the country. 2 The Dae It Yersel shop has been revealed to have the best shop name in Britain 2 The shop is located in Dunoon, in Argyll and Bute Credit: Alamy It saw off challenges to the title and the £2,500 top prize from landscape gardening firm Back To The Fuchsia in Bromley and Balti Towers in Halesowen, West Midlands. Co-owner Helena McLay said: 'Dae it Yersel has been family-owned since my mother, father and then-20-year-old brother took over a tiny wee DIY shop in 1970. 'I've been around the shop since I was three, and used to spend my after-school hours and school holidays here. 'The name is obviously the Glaswegian/Scots version of 'Do It Yourself'. 'We couldn't be more delighted to have won." She said that loads of tourists took photos of the shop, and that one person travelled all the way from New Zealand to visit her shop. The annual competition, put on by insurance firm Simply Business, found that 51 per cent of folk in a poll of 2,000 Brits said a witty shop name attracted them to shops. Harpreet Kaur, entrepreneur and winner of BBC's The Apprentice in 2022, helped judge the competition. She said: 'It was so heartening to see the character woven into every single small business name we judged, reflecting the passion and dedication of the thousands of entrepreneurs who entered. 'Dae It Yerself should be incredibly proud to have won the public vote; it's a testament to their unique appeal and the genuine connection they've built with their local community." Unassuming corner shop was seen by millions on classic 70s sitcom - but would you recognise it? Staff at Dae it Yersel shared the exciting news with followers on social media this week. The post on Facebook read: "Thank you all so much for your votes. A privilege to serve you all". And loyal customers flocked to the comments to congratulate the team on their win. Full list of top ten finalists The final top 10 were as follows: Dae It Yersel - DIY shop in Dunoon Back To The Fuchsia - Landscape gardners in Bromley Balti Towers - Kashmiri restaurant in Halesowen Damsel in This Dress - Seamstress in Harlech, Wales Lawn and Order - Garden care, Watford Pietanic - Food truck in Birmingham So Bee It - Honey farm in Lancashire The Fast and the Furriest - Dog trainer and walker, Dundee The Jobfather - Handyman, Ardingly, Sussex The NoBody Inn - Pub and B&B, Exeter One person said: "Congratulations, always enjoy a trip to Dae it Yersel with your friendly, helpful staff." Another added: "Wonderful and magnificently well-deserved. A Dunoon treasure!" Someone else wrote: "One of the best small businesses in Britain." While a fourth shared: "Well Done. Best name ever. Congratulations". And fifth chimed in: "Congratulations, brilliant name and brilliant shop!"
