Member Article

High street hero award won by Surrey florist

A Surrey florist was surprised on her doorstep with an award for being Britain’s best small high street business at this year’s Small Awards.

Mad Lilies won the ‘High Street Hero’, which is sponsored by TSB, for its contribution to Banstead High Street and collaboration with other local businesses.

Owner and florist Alison Howe, who took over Mad Lilies in 2013, was surprised at her home with a trophy during a virtual online awards ceremony that increasingly stunned guests, as eleven small firms across the UK were crowned winners on their doorsteps.

Sales and marketing executive-turned-floral-designer Alison has grown Mad Lilies over 80%, gaining a strong reputation and recruiting a dynamic team. During lockdown the business diversified and created a flower subscription, as well as hiding jam jars of flowers across Surrey for people to find and take home as random acts of kindness.

“We’re so pleased to have won this award, and in such an exciting way! We are extremely passionate about keeping our high street alive through creating a continuing and ever-changing customer experience,” said Alison Howe, owner of Mad Lilies.

“We will continue working with our community to build awareness of the high street and showcase the fabulous independent businesses we have in Banstead and Surrey. We love a collaboration and not only see the business benefit from them but enjoy learning and developing from other local businesses as we all evolve to meet consumer needs.”

In its fifth year the Small Awards is a nationwide search for the smallest and greatest firms in the UK, across all sectors. It is organised annually by Small Business Britain, which champions, inspires and accelerates small businesses in the UK.

“Congratulations to Alison and the team at Mad Lilies – they really impressed our judges with their inspiring resilience, creativity and dedication,” said Michelle Ovens CBE, Founder of Small Business Britain, and the Small Awards.

“It has been a difficult year for the whole small business community, but it is so positive to celebrate the amazing contribution of small firms like Alison’s, particularly as we look ahead to brighter times. It was really fun to arrange such an exciting event which surprised and delighted so many business owners.”

“In what’s been the most challenging year for small businesses, we’re thrilled to see the hard work and creativity of so many business owners recognised through The Small Awards”, said TSB’s Business Banking Propositions Director, Adeel Hyder.

“Congratulations to Mad Lilies, who won amongst a high caliber of entrants. This is a great opportunity to celebrate their resilience and success after a tough year.”

The Small Awards were judged by a panel of leading enterprise experts. The inspirational evening took place online, adopting the theme of the upcoming Bond film and featuring entertainment from London’s Phoenix Arts Club.

Guests dressed up in black tie and received deliveries of cocktails and canapes from independent brands to toast their success.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Rachel .