YORKSHIRE INDEPENDENT TOY SHOP NOMINATED FOR NATIONAL AWARD An independent toy shop in Ilkley says a focus on customer experience and spotting industry trends is key to them being nominated for a national accolade. Games Crusade in Ilkley is one of the businesses nominated in a national UK’s Favourite Local Business competition, sponsored by Miconex and backed by the Ilkley Town Centre Gift Card. Owner Lisa Dyson first started her toy business 19 years ago and now owns two Games Crusade stores in Yorkshire, Ilkley and Harrogate with her husband. Lisa said: “I used to work in financial services and started out by selling toys to people directly, delivering them to their homes - working on the business in the evenings. It went down so well that I got my first shop in a village, then a bigger shop in Harrogate, and then the Ilkley store too. Three years ago, my husband left his job in IT to work full time in the business. “The products we sell, the service, and the experience are at the heart of Games Crusade. I try to get products that you can’t get anywhere else and we have a demo table in each store. Our staff know how our toys work and can tell customers about them. So many people will come in and say they’re looking for a gift for a 6 year old for example, and they like to have personal advice from a real person on what a 6 year old might like. “Being on the high street, we often can’t compete on price, so we have to offer something different and that’s what we aim to do. The other side is keeping our finger on the pulse of trends in the toy industry, and finding unique products. Every year, we invest in going to the Nürnberg Toy Fair which is the world’s biggest toy fair, so we can ensure Games Crusade has the best products. Communicating with customers is another thing we invest in and I’m fortunate to have a great team.” Games Crusade in Ilkley is part of the Ilkley Town Centre Gift Card, while Games Crusade in Harrogate is part of the Harrogate Gift Card. Lisa says it is important for her business to be a part of the community: “We’re part of the Ilkley Town Centre Gift Card and the Harrogate Gift Card because they are local gift cards for our community that encourage local spending. Children are often given them for Christmas so we tend to see the cards being spent in the stores in January time. “As business owners, we don’t often get feedback from customers, so knowing that someone has taken the time to vote for us to be the UK’s Favourite Local Business is wonderful.” Shops, restaurants, salons, hotels and attractions in Ilkley– and right across Yorkshire and the rest of the UK– are all eligible to be the UK’s Favourite Local Business 2024. People can nominate their favourite local business in the competition free at www.lovelocalwin.co.uk, giving the name of the local business they think deserves to win and a reason. SMARTGAMES RECOGNISED IN BOTH THE RIGHT START AWARDS AND THE IMAGINATION GAMING AWARDS Smart Toys and Games has unveiled that SmartGames has added more award wins to its ever-growing collection, having been recognised in both the Right Start Awards and the Imagination Gaming Awards. They scooped five accreditations in these highly respected accolades, including: Right Start Awards 2024 SmartGames – Smart Dog *Top Value Toy *Highly Commended in Games & Puzzles SmartGames – 5 Little Birds *Gold in Games & Puzzles Imagination Gaming Awards 2024 SmartGames – Genius Square *Shortlisted for the Best Problem Solving Game category Go Genius – World *Shortlisted for the Best Cross-Curriculum Game category Now in its seventh year, the Right Start Awards aim to recognise the toys that offer true value for money. All of the award-winning toys, books and nursery items have been roadtested by parents and children at home and carefully selected as winners based on if they are long-lasting, durable, appealing and help save the planet - Smart Toys and Games are thrilled both Smart Dog and 5 Little Birds have been recognised. Now in its eleventh year, the Imagination Gaming Awards recognise great games that families and educators consider invaluable in developing a range of social and curriculum skills – as well as just good, solid fun! The awards raise awareness in the UK of the joy and value that great table-top games bring to everyday life, as well as the influence and effect they can have as resources to improve thinking and communication skills for everyone. This is Smart’s debut at the Imagination Gaming Awards and the team is thrilled to have two of its games shortlisted. Commenting on the recent award wins, Karen Clarke, UK Brand Director at Smart Toys and Games said: “We are thrilled to be recognised by these highly anticipated and trusted award platforms. Receiving the news that we have been awarded two top spots at the Right Start Awards, especially as both of the games are new for 2024 is fantastic! We strongly believe in the ethos behind the Imagination Gaming Awards and are so proud to have two of our family games shortlisted..” Sales enquiries are to be sent to uk@smart.be or call +44 (0)1903 885669 12
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