Scotland's 'Bakery of the Year' has been crowned as part of an awards ceremony celebrating the country's top independent businesses.
On Wednesday, the winners of the 11th annual Scottish Independent Retail Awards were announced. The event, which took place Glasgow’s Doubletree by Hilton, celebrated the achievements of independent retailers throughout Scotland across a range of categories.
Taking home the title of Scotland's best bakery was The Mad Batter Bakery and Coffee Shop in Coatbridge. The North Lanarkshire business specialises in cupcakes, cheesecakes, and American cakes and confections.
Named after a character from Lewis Carroll's iconic Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, the sit-in café also serves up savoury dishes. Among the hot food on offer are paninis, toasties, nachos, and all-day breakfasts.
As well being recognised by the Scottish Independent Retail Awards, the bakery is also very popular amongst visitors, with a rare five-out-of-five rating on travel website Tripadvisor. Recent customers have praised its "amazing freshly cooked food" and "first class service".
Meanwhile, other categories at the Scottish Independent Retail Awards recognised the country's best butcher, fishmonger, and coffee shop. The winners of these prizes were Strachan Craft Butchers in Blantyre, J Pieroni & Sons in Ayr, and Bizzi Izzi’s At The View in Coatbridge respectively.
The awards also celebrated Scotland's top shopping businesses, with The Book Nook in Stewarton and Strength Shop in Motherwell taking home the titles of Book Shop of the Year and Independent Sports Retailer of the Year. Meanwhile, Campbell's of Beauly was named Menswear Retailer of the Year, while Deja Elite Boutique in Hamilton was awarded Women’s Fashion Boutique of the Year.
A spokesperson for the 11th Scottish Independent Retail Awards commented: "The Scottish Independent Retail Awards have always strived to recognise and celebrate the remarkable achievements of independent retailers.
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"This year’s winners have exemplified excellence in their sectors and have played a pivotal role in enhancing Scotland’s retail industry. We want to congratulate all of our winners and highly commended recipients on their accomplishments."
More information can be found on The Scottish Independent Retail Awards website.
11th Scottish Independent Retail Awards winners
- Fashion & Accessories Retailer of the Year — Reid’s of Milngavie, Glasgow
- Independent Furniture Retailer of the Year — Emily Rose Vintage, Glasgow
- Opticians of the Year — Reid Mackellar, Greenock
- Dry Cleaners of the Year — Laundry Online Tayside, Dundee
- Technology Retailer of the Year — Revive Lab, Glasgow
- Pharmacy of the Year — Porter Pharmacy, Westhill
- Specialist Retailer of the Year — Heartfelt Aromas, Aberdeen
- Cycle Retailer of the Year — Bruce’s Cycle Bothy, Montrose
- Independent Sports Retailer of the Year — Strength Shop, Motherwell
- Book Shop of the Year — The Book Nook, Stewarton
- Butcher of the Year — Strachan Craft Butchers, Blantyre
- Fresh Produce Provider of the Year — Marshall’s Farm Shop, Aberdeenshire
- Fishmonger of the Year — J Pieroni & Sons, Ayr
- Independent Pet Supplies Store of the Year — Rural Pet Supplies, Stirling
- Independent Jewellery Store of the Year — Sheila Kerr Jewellery, Irvine
- Auto Garage & Accessories Provider of the Year — L.V.S Garage Services, Livingston
- Menswear Retailer of the Year — Campbell’s of Beauly, Beauly
- Soft Furnishing Supplier of the Year — Chantillie House, Moffat
- Flooring Retailer of the Year — First Floors, Giffnock
- Women’s Fashion Boutique of the Year — Deja Elite Boutique, Hamilton
- Specialist Drink Retailer of the Year — Billingtons of Lenzie, Kirkintilloch
- Convenience Retailer of the Year — Best-one, Glasgow (Quarry Avenue)
- Bespoke Retailer of the Year — Blessed Wellness Studio, Greenock
- Bakery of the Year — The Mad Batter Bakery & Coffee Shop, Coatbridge
- Beauty Salon of the Year — The Dollhouse, Linlithgow
- Hair Salon of the Year — Sharon’s Hair & Beauty Boutique, Haddington
- Florist of the Year – Wildbells, Burntisland
- Coffee Shop of the Year — Bizzi Izzi’s At The View, Coatbridge
- Eatery of the Year — The Cromwell Kitchen & Rooms, Burntisland
- Mobile Phone Retailer of the Year — PHONE2YOU, Glasgow
- Hardware Store of the Year — Houseproud of Morningside, Edinburgh
- Record Shop of the Year — Missing Records, Glasgow
- Music Shop of the Year — Ayr Guitar, Ayr
- Craft & Gift Shop of the Year — Treasured, Gourock
- Confectionary Retailer of the Year — Braemar Chocolate Shop, Braemar
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