A gift and clothing store in Ramsey was voted ’Shop of the Month’ by a UK magazine.

The Tide shop on Parliament Street was given the title by Coast magazine, which covers the coastlines of the British Isles.

Sue and Daz Hockey who have run their coastal-inspired business for 16 years were delighted and surprised by the news that their shop would feature in the April edition.

Sue said: ’We’re not 100% sure who nominated us.

’I do a lot of social media on Instagram and Facebook, which gets a lot of attention. The editor of Coast follows me on Instagam and we got an email in January from a freelancer who writes for the magazine.

’Coast has given us half a page, which is huge.’

The piece states that The Tide ’offers new treasures on the Isle of Man daily’.

’The store’s own range features cushions, china mugs, coasters and place mats with a strong nod to the Manx heritage and language, while locally designed goodies include one-off handbags and colouring books and - coming soon - organic artisan soaps inspired by the Manx soaps inspired by the Manx coast and landscape,’ it reads.

Sue said one of the reasons it may have been chosen as Shop of the Year is not only because of its theme, but also customer service. ’It costs nothing to say "hi" and smile,’ she added.

Having worked in retailing for 40 years with a dream of opening her own store, Sue took the plunge into setting up her own business.

’I had been working for other people in small businesses and for the big boys. I decided I would rent the building and met with the owner. I started three weeks later,’ she said.