An Ealing gift shop has been crowned Best Newcomer a year after opening in Northfield Avenue.
Mooch was given the title at the Greats Gift Retailer Awards 2017, finishing in first place as independent best newcomer in the South & Wales category on Thursday (May 4).
Best friends Sandra O'Connell and Evelyn O'Flaherty opened the shop in May last year, taking over the premises from Darch and Duff which closed after 18 years.
Mrs O'Connell, who has lived in Northfields for 15 years, said: "We are local residents, when this shop became available we completely renovated it.
"We were approached by the awards ceremony. Then we got invited to the Grosvenor Hotel.
"(I was) completely surprised to win, we just thought it was very nice to be nominated.
"There are some amazing shops out there so to be compared to those is very complimentary.
"I was very excited."
The pair, both mothers-of-three, met seven years ago when picking up their children at Mount Carmel Primary School.
Mooch offers a range of gifts including jewellery, scarves, bags and other items from independent designers.
Mrs O'Flaherty said: "We couldn't have done it without the local support we received since we opened in May last year.
"We live in such a tight-knit community and we have such lovely customers.
"Without local people shopping local then little independent businesses like ours wouldn't be able to survive."
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