Uppermill businesses on prestigious shortlist for UK Wedding Awards

TWO POPULAR businesses in Uppermill are proving they really know how to help make your big day perfect after being shortlisted for The UK Wedding Awards 2017.

High res124 — Charlotte (right) in her shop

Charlotte Mills Bridal and The Frostery have been named among an elite few in the final for Best Bridal Accessories and Best Wedding Cake Company respectively.

Public voting closes on Thursday, February 9, with the winners announced in Spring, and both businesses are hoping locals will get behind them to help them clinch the titles.

They had to submit information about their businesses, pictures and why they should win to a panel of industry experts who whittled down the entries to the final shortlist.

Wedding shoe designer Charlotte Mills launched her businesses in 2014 from home but has since flourished, taken over a shop in St Mary’s Gate and has stockists around the world.

Charlotte, from Springhead who was named ‘Young Entrepreneur of the Year’ at the Oldham Business Awards 2015, said: “It would be amazing if people could vote for us.

“To be shortlisted is such a great achievement in itself. We have achieved so much in such a short space of time and if we were to win it would reinforce to all new designers that hard work and determination really do pay off.

“We now have over 50 stockists, our own store in Uppermill and a fast growing e-ccomerce site.
“It’s great to have our business in Uppermill. It’s such a great village and our customers love a look around when they visit us.

“We are getting busier in the boutique all the time as word is spreading locally about the brand.”

Meanwhile Suzanne Thorp at The Frostery on Court Street is hoping to add the award to her growing list of accolades for her eye-catching bespoke wedding cakes.

The Frostery was crowned ‘Wedding Cake Designer/Maker of the Year’ in the north west at the Wedding Industry Awards 2016 for the second year running.

p24 the frostery team — Suzanne and some of her team at The Frostery

Suzanne scooped the prestigious accolade based on reviews, scores and images from delighted customers over the last 12 months, as well as scrutiny from judges.

Now, she is hoping the public cast their vote to help her win this latest award.

“The people we are up against are some of the best in the country so it is real achievement just to be shortlisted,” said Suzanne. “There are a lot of top cake makers and designers on there.

“But it shows you don’t have to go to London to find the best businesses. They are here in the North West – and right in Uppermill – too.

“We’d love to win but it’s a great platform anyway to raise awareness of our company and show off what we can do and what is available for people on their doorstop.

“People come from Blackpool, Yorkshire and beyond to buy cakes from me and I like to tell them about the area and suggest places for them to visit while they are here.”