Competition is looking for best small shops '‹'‹'‹'‹'‹'‹'‹'‹'‹'‹'‹'‹'‹'‹'‹'‹'‹'‹'‹'‹'‹'‹'‹'‹'‹'‹'‹'‹'‹'‹'‹'‹'‹'‹'‹

The Best Small Shops competition is being held to celebrate the creativity of small shops and the central role they play in their local community.

It is open to any small shop operating in the UK and is free to enter. All entries will also be promoted through an online Indie Retail Directory.

Shopkeepers can nominate their businesses until September 9 via bestsmallshops.co.uk. The 25 best applications will be shortlisted by a panel of expert judges.

The judges will be looking for evidence of a small shops' entrepreneurial spirit, ways they have been innovative and what they have done to have a positive impact on their community. 

MP for Gosport Caroline Dinenage showed her support for the campaign.

She said: '˜Small businesses are the lifeblood of our economy, bringing jobs and economic security to communities across the UK.

'˜We have a collection of fantastic small shops across Gosport and it would be fantastic to see them recognised.'