Local businesses in Highbury West have enjoyed a welcome surge in trade after a clutch of independent shops were honoured in Time Out magazine’s ‘Love London’ awards.
Highbury Vintners, a wine shop on Highbury Park road, came top in the ‘Best Shop’ category, beating off strong competition from independent shops in the area to first place.
Ed Cotton, assistant manager, said: “People have started coming to Highbury from all around London after seeing the awards.
“People know the shop and the area now, and we’re going to build on that recognition.”
Other Highbury businesses grabbed gongs in the recent awards, including the Cinnamon Village café and The Woodbine pub, both on Blackstock Road.
Winners were voted for by the public on Time Out’s website, which Mr Cotton welcomed.
“It’s always nice when it’s a customer-chosen thing,” he said. “I’m not usually too fussed about winning lots of awards, but at the end of the day it’s a reward for hard work. You don’t get one by doing nothing.
“We’ve been here for 10 years, and we’re totally independent and family owned, selling products from other independent businesses. It’s nice to offer quirky things that aren’t on the high street.”
The annual awards were announced just in time for Christmas, which Mr Cotton hopes will help push local business success even higher.
“I’m looking forward to the madness of Christmas. We tend to get really crazy around 17 December, wine is generally the last thing people think of when they’re preparing for Christmas.
“But mostly I’m looking forward to sitting down on Christmas Day with a glass of wine.”
