Iconic Aberdeen furniture retailer Annie Mo’s has been named as the UK’s Favourite Local Business in a national competition sponsored by Miconex.
And one of the hundreds of Aberdonians who voted for the much-loved Union Street store has scooped a £1,000 Aberdeen Gift Card as a prize.
More than 4,000 votes were cast for over 1,000 different businesses in the competition which amassed entries from towns and cities from Aberdeen to the Isle of Wight, covering all sectors including retail and hospitality - with Annie Mo’s receiving the most votes in the UK.
All of the businesses are part of Miconex’s Town & City Gift Card programmes around the UK. The cards encourage ‘shop local’ and can be spent with both big brands and indie businesses.
Annie Mo’s is part of the Aberdeen Gift Card introduced by Aberdeen Inspired in 2020 and now accepted by almost 350 businesses from shops to restaurants, beauticians to theatres.
Emily McDonald, who runs Annie Mo’s with her mother Judith, said she was delighted to scoop the prestigious accolade of the UK’s Favourite Local Business.
She said: “I don’t think winning the UK’s Favourite Local Business has really sunk in yet. We’re just a small shop doing our best and I’m so proud of the whole team and so thankful to our customers,” she said.
In addition to winning the title, Annie Mo’s also received a £500 Aberdeen Gift Card which Emily said will be used for a staff night out.
She said: “The Aberdeen Gift Card is such a good idea for encouraging local spending and providing tangible support for local businesses just like ours. The choice on offer with the card makes it an ideal Christmas gift, for friends or for your staff.”
Meanwhile, support worker Deborah Luke was selected at random from the entries supporting Annie Mo’s in the competition and wins a £1,000 Aberdeen Gift Card.
Deborah said: “It’s a little jewel of a shop. I don’t earn a huge amount, but I love to treat myself to an item at Annie Mo’s as a treat for working hard, like the Christmas decoration I bought the other day which they wrapped up beautifully in brown paper.
“I’ve always dreamt of being able to really splash out in Annie Mo’s and I’m just so happy to have won the Aberdeen Gift Card and so glad to see Annie Mo’s win UK’s Favourite Local Business.
“I really believe in ‘shop where you stay’ to support my community but also because I think it’s just a better experience, you get good service and the chance to see things in person.
The Aberdeen Gift Card is such a brilliant idea and I can’t wait to get out exploring with it. I have six grandchildren aged three months to 12, so it will be a wonderful Christmas.”
Shona Byrne, project manager with Aberdeen Inspired who oversees the gift card scheme for the city, said: “We have always known that Annie Mo’s is one of Aberdeen’s most-loved shops – but for it to be named the UK’s Favourite Local Business in a national competition is a magnificent achievement.
“Judith and Emily don’t just run a shop – they are curators of a Granite City institution and tireless champions for the vibrancy and importance of our city centre.
“Annie Mo’s is an exemplar of what local businesses can and should be – a bedrock in the community and a driver for the economy, leading the way with vision and passion.
“They richly deserve the prestigious accolade of the UK’s Favourite Local Business and I know everyone in the city will join all of us here at Aberdeen Inspired in congratulating them.”
Fintech Miconex, founders of the Town & City Gift Card concept, is sponsoring the UK’s Favourite Local Business 2024. Over 20,000 local businesses are part of Miconex’s local gift card programmes around the world with over £30m spent locally through the cards.
Colin Munro is the managing director of Miconex and said: “Congratulations to Annie Mo’s for winning the UK’s Favourite Local Business title and to every business who was nominated in the competition. The nominations showed just how valued local businesses are within our communities.
“Local gift cards like the Aberdeen Gift Card not only offer unbeatable local choice, they offer tangible support for local businesses of all types and sizes.”
You can find out more about the Aberdeen Gift Card here