Inverness’s very own Araveli has won BEST BRITISH NEWCOMER to retail...

Araveli, in the Victorian Market, has been selected as the winner by Progressive Gifts and Home Magazine for Best British Newcomer.

Araveli was launched on 31st May 2008 by Ruth Ralph and was nominated by UK gift suppliers, manufacturers, wholesalers, agents and reps for the Best British Newcomer Award.

Last week Ruth was among four hundred guests at the glittering undisputed premier gift industry awards affectionately known as The Greats at London’s Royal Lancaster Hotel where she picked up the prestigious award presented by the comedian and broadcaster John Bishop. “The competition was so high; Araveli was up against 4 other gift retailers; one in Glasgow, London, Suffolk and Hebden Bridge... I couldn’t believe Araveli won!”

The category sponsor Villeroy & Boch manufacturers of designer ceramics chose the best newcomer award in recognition of the great contribution played by those hard working entrepreneurs who bring new retailing concepts and ideas to the industry; originality, the understanding of customer needs, innovation and design sparking the imagination of the consumer....

Ruth comments “Araveli is praised on a daily basis by both locals and tourists, but I never imagined when I opened the shop that I’d win a national award. Local retail news tends to focus on which shops in Inverness have closed or are in trouble in the current economic climate. I’m proud that Araveli shows that shopping in Inverness can be amongst the best in ”

To celebrate Araveli’s award and a successful 1st Year of Trading, for two days only on Friday 19th and Saturday 20th of June the shop will have at least 20% discount off all goods. Please come along and join us in the celebrations!

The Greats were launched by Progressive Gifts & Home magazine in 2003, in recognition of the tremendous contribution that retailers, both large and small, make to the success of the gift industry. Now in their seventh year, The Greats are established as the premier awards event of the year. It brings together the entire industry for a night of celebration.

The Greats recognise and celebrate not only the top independent and multiple gift retailers regionally and nationally, but also the new breed of gift retailers as well as outstanding retail employees.

Further details can be found at www.thegreatsawards.co.uk

For more information contact Ruth Ralph at Araveli, 3 Queensgate, The Victorian Market, Inverness, IV1 1PQ . 01463 729675.  

IMAG Sports Directory

IMAG has been commissioned by Alan Hoseason, Inverness Area Sports Council to produce a Sports Directory of all sports centres, clubs, facilities, groups etc across the Highlands.

The purpose of this directory is to act as a permanent resource to all local people, community groups and schools to promote existing sports opportunities and increase participation in sport across the Highlands

It is also hoped this directory will make sports clubs, more aware of each other, to encourage partnerships between clubs, to enable them to share resources and working practices to improve the quality of services provided and most importantly agree good standards of provision.

Leisure and sporting activities are an essential ingredient to a lively and vibrant community, stimulating social and economic well being.  More and more people see sports as part of their essential daily spending; no longer are sports and recreation seen as a luxury, they are now a part of everyday living.   One thing is for certain, the sports industry in Britain is set to continue booming for the foreseeable future.

As well as listing the obvious larger sports facilities, we intend this Sports Directory to list the smaller clubs who are struggling to inform the local community of their existence and success, therefore we need your assistance to circulate this email to as many groups/individuals as possible to give them every opportunity to be included.

Publication and Distribution

The directory will be published late June and copies can be picked up from most Council public venues such as leisure centres, libraries, schools etc.  Once published, the directory will be featured on the IMAG website www.theimag.co.uk, currently attracting a minimum of 200 visitors a day. 

Links can also be added to your own website and in addition, if you have any future events you would like us to publish, we will be happy to add them to our ‘What's On’ section at no extra cost.

Advertising Rates

The following rates will apply:

With Kindest Regards 

Debbie ross

IMAG Website & Magazine

The North's Most Read On-line Magazine

www.theimag.co.uk

Mobile: 07877398519