ONE of Melksham’s leading retailers has been recognised with a top industry award at a ceremony in London.

Leekes has been named winner of the ‘Best Specialist Multiple Retailer’ category at The Excellence in Housewares Awards.

Organised by Progressive Housewares magazine in conjunction with the Cookshop & Housewares Association, the awards have recognised and rewarded UK retailers, products and suppliers for over 17 years.

Amanda Reed, buying controller at Leekes, said: “It’s an honour to have been recognised at the prestigious national Excellence in Housewares Awards.

“In an increasingly competitive market we continue to evolve our choice of products with a wide selection from leading brands and we have been able to expand our online offering significantly which has enabled us to reach a much wider customer base.”

In addition, Leekes was also recently named runner up in the Bed Retailer of the Year category at the National Bed Federation Awards. The highly sought after awards recognise companies who are considered to be ‘best in class’ during the past 12 months.

The store group was commended for their continual improvement work within the bed studios including a new-look mini sleep centre and the on-going introduction of new technologies keeping them abreast of the best in new developments.

Jessica Alexander, NBF executive director, said: “The standard of entries, in all categories, was very high and the gap between winners, runners up and other entrants was very small. Everyone who entered should be very proud of their achievements whether or not they were winners.

“The determination to do better, the innovation, investment and progress being made demonstrates just what a vibrant and exciting industry this is and why we should all be justly proud of it!”

Jayne Muluka, furniture buying controller at Leekes, said: “The bed show has become a really important event in the show calendar for us and we’re delighted to have been runners up in such a competitive field. We are very proud of the work that our teams do and the progress that we have made during the past year.”

Emma Leeke, the Wales-based department store’s managing director, added: “Whilst we are not in business to win awards, it’s always great to have our efforts rewarded in what is an increasingly competitive and fast changing retail environment.

“We have been fortunate enough to be recognised for a range of different awards in this our 120th year, which is testament to our fantastically loyal and hard-working team here at Leekes.”