Vote today for our Small Retailer of the Year

Now, you have a chance to nominate your top shop in our Small Retailer of the Year competition.

Small Retailer of the Year is back for a second year to give you the chance to nominate your favourite and give it the recognition it deserves.

Last year’s winner Roxanne Morris, owner of Rokii, an independent clothing store in Victoria Road South, Southsea, said: ‘I’m really surprised that I won because there were a lot of well established businesses in the competition, as well as all different areas of business such as butchers and florists,

‘There’s not much in the way of independent clothing shops in and around Portsmouth.

‘I did get quite a few people coming in after they had read about it in the paper.’

Mark Waldron, editor of The News, said: ‘Small retailers are important because they help keep our local economy going.

‘We want to support those retailers in the best way that we can and the Small Retailer of the Year competition is a fantastic way to do that. So make sure you get your nominations in and show your local shop how much it means to you.’

Just let us know who you think has earned a special pat on the back. Each small retailer has its own style that adds to the local community.

You can vote for any kind of small business be it butcher, baker or even a candlestick maker, just as long as the shop is based locally and employs no more than 10 people.

Your nomination must also have a shop front – no internet-based businesses please, and mustn’t be part of a national chain.

Once we’ve counted the nominations, we’ll publish a voting list on Thursday, September 25 and ask readers to vote for their favourite small retailer.

We’ll announce the winner and present them with a trophy - the establishment with the most votes will win.

All you need to do is nominate your favourite now.

HOW TO NOMINATE:

You can complete the form on page 14 of The News today and post it back to us at: Small Retailer Nominations, The News, 1000 Lakeside, North harbour Portsmouth, PO6 3EN.

Or send a text message starting with PENSR14N, the name and address of the small retailer you are voting for plus your name to 65550. The total message must not exceed 155 characters.

Example of message: PENSR14N The Clothes Shop, High Street, Portsmouth, Jane Brown

All nominations must be received by 10am on Monday, September 22, 2014. Nominations received after this time won’t be counted.

DETAILS:

All text messages cost £1 plus standard network charge.

Messages received after the closing date will not be counted but still may be charged. By supplying your telephone number you are happy to receive SMS/MMS messages from Johnston Press. Please add the word NOINFO at the end of your message if you do not wish to receive these. SMS service is provided by mGage Llc., SE1 8ND. Helpline: (023) 9266 7666 option 2. Ref PENSR14N.