Port Erin’s Mantons Cards has been named as the runner up in The British Independent Retailers Association Awards.

Mantons is The Retail Team of the Year Runner Up, an award open to every independent retailer in the British Isles.

The greeting card and gift specialists impressed the judges who said: ‘Mantons was just a hair’s breadth away from being the overall winner and stood out as having a broad variety of achievements which impressed the judges, not just working to improve one aspect of their business but many elements at the same time. As the only Manx company to ever reach the final, Mantons has once again firmly established the Isle of Man on the retail map.

‘The fact that no team member has left in the last three years shows the spirit and commitment of the Mantons team’.

Owner Chris Beards said: ‘Obviously I was a little disappointed that the Mantons team wasn’t named as the overall winner.

‘But considering the number of businesses we were competing against, the team should be incredibly proud of their achievements.

‘I am especially pleased that this award recognises the whole Mantons team who are an integral part of our success.’

He added: ‘I would personally like to thank all of the team for all their fantastic commitment and hard work over the last few years, including our previous team members who have also made such a large contribution to the success of Mantons.

‘I would also like to say a special thank you to our fabulous customers, who travel from all over the island (and beyond) for their amazing support, they really make all our hard work worthwhile.’

The awards, now in their 20th year, were launched by the British Independent Retailers Association (BIRA) to recognise and reward the very best independent retailers and to celebrate inspiring businesses who are leading the way and excelling in challenging times.

Every independent shop in the British Isles was eligible for the competition and the finalists were chosen on a range of qualities, including the quality of products offered, customer shopping experience, and customer service.