Time to vote for Independent Retailer of the Year
Vote for your top independent retailer from the wonderful businesses listed here
The time has come to choose the Independent Retailer of the Year – and we are asking you to cast your vote!
You have the power to spotlight the top three independent retailers from those nominated by the public who stand out in our community. These finalists will be honoured at the Pride of Reading Awards 20th Anniversary lunch in October, where one deserving winner will be revealed.
Here you’ll find the local shops and businesses nominated by the people of Reading for the award sponsored by Reading Today.
This award sponsored by Reading Today recognises and awards the independent retailers in Reading who are at the heart of the community, providing exceptional customer service and promoting the essential work of small businesses in our town.
And we had a wonderful set of examples sent in. Once you’ve read their stories go to the link on the Reading Today website and vote. The deadline is 9am on August 29. Help celebrate the best in local retail!
Caversham Artisan & Farmers Market
Caversham Artisan Market gives a platform to small independent retailers to showcase and sell their products and produce.
Their nominator said: “The traders are carefully selected for being individual, interesting, ethical and artisan.”
The market is run every Sunday from 10am to 3pm in Waitrose car park in Caversham by Jodie Bennett after it was set up by her partner Claire Anderton-Bell, who runs the nearby Nood Stores.
The nominator added: “The traders trade in markets far and wide and often feed back to Jodie Bennett that CAF Market is their favourite and most profitable trading spot.
“There is so much attention to detail; live music, tables for customers to sit and enjoy the atmosphere and an onsite market manager. The traders are carefully selected for being, individual, interesting, ethical and artisan,” they said.
They have a friendly charter for the traders to ensure the feel and vibe of the market is positive and inclusive, it was said.
The nominator continued: “They are the heart and soul of our community providing exceptional customer service and promoting the essential work of small businesses within our town.”
They added the market has increased footfall to all the businesses in Caversham. “It’s a destination venue that brings people from far and wide in the Reading area and boosts our local economy, whilst giving a platform to many of our smaller independent retailers.”
Crunch Comics
Crunch Comics in Harris Arcade “are an excellent retailer for comics and collectibles, with friendly and helpful staff.”
“They are a better prospect to obtain the items you want, than travelling into London, and so can create more business for Reading if you want to stay in Reading to eat, see a film etc to ‘make a day of it’,” said one nominator.
Others said: “Great independent shop, great service and staff, refreshing to have in Reading as I’ve lived here for 38 years.”
“They have brought together an amazing community of people and are really friendly and helpful in not only engaging people new and old with different hobbies and interests, but also in promoting other small businesses in Reading.”
“Brian Wong is such a lovely human being with the most genuine want to help people,” said another nominator. “He knows his business, knows exactly what people are looking for and has such a close friendship with his regulars.”
“He has a very welcoming aura. I’m a regular at Crunch Comics and sometimes I go in just to visit the shop and chat.”
Another nomination said: “Brian, Bryce & the Crunch Comics team have tirelessly promoted the graphic art form of sequential storytelling. They take time to tailor their advice to the age and interest of their customers. Literacy is promoted particularly through Free Comic Book Day, and their monthly social events.”
“My teenage son was encouraged by Brian to shoot his first promotional video in the store and this has directly helped him succeed at GCSE through A-Level Art & Design.”
“This shop has made me feel like Reading is a creative and fun place to be – I have recommended it to my friends both locally and all over London.”
“Every interaction with crunch comics, since the very first time I went in there, feels like you are chatting with a friend. They have got me feeling inspired! I feel thrilled and proud to have such a knowledgeable, friendly shop local to me.”
“Not only is Brian the best comic vendor in Reading but he showed unbelievable kindness when I felt severely ill at the beginning of the year. He arranged for the personal delivery of my pull list (after online payment) to my house when he could have just posted them and asked me to pay postage.”
“Crunch Comics is a sanctuary for comic book fans but also a great social hub for everyone interested in sci-fi, fantasy and wider fiction.”
Eclectic Games
Fans have said why they think specialist games shop Eclectic Games, which has been operating in Reading since 2006, should win the award.
Comments praised “welcoming and knowledgeable staff, wide variety of hosted events, and a unique business for Reading that’s involved in the hobby community.”
It is a “really great shop that fosters a lovely community and has great helpful staff.
“When I first came to Reading, it was through Eclectic Games that I found all my local friends.”
Eclectic Games hosts events almost every night, with people coming in from around Reading and the surrounding towns to play games and socialise. “The staff and patrons are all super welcoming and accommodating. It has links to a bunch of local gaming and social groups and helps and encourages people to connect to them.”
The shop in Union Street, Reading’s well-known Smelly Alley, is the main reason some go into town.
“They also helped me with my own game design ideas by providing the space and advertising to get people to come to my event, which wouldn’t have been much of an event at all without Eclectic Games,” said another nominator.
“This store offers something that can’t be found in Reading. A great selection of independent games and gaming products. I and many of my friends visit here weekly and it’s opened up so many new games and fun for me, my friends and my children.”
“The gaming room availability also adds value to the town. Not many places offer such a good range of service, products and experience.”
The independent shop organises weekly card game tournaments and fosters communities built around them, it was said.
“The board game nights (Monday/Friday) are fantastic – not many places where you can have a whole evening’s entertainment for £5. To top it all off, their ‘all welcome’ once-a-month Saturdays are completely free and attract a much more diverse crowd, not just salty regulars like us.”
“You only have to spend ten minutes in the shop (as I frequently do) to realise they care about their customers and have a genuine passion for what they do.”
“They’re a fantastic retailer in their niche, and they support the community wonderfully.”
Hickies Music
A family run “Reading musical institution” and William Elphick and the 11-strong team who work there, is celebrating its 160th anniversary and has been nominated for its commitment to music for all.
William’s family bought Hickies in 1913 and the business works with the Arts Council and the national organisation ‘Music for All’ to give young people the opportunity to play instruments and to make musical instruments affordable for everyone, said a nominator.
“Hickies have also supported many schools over the years with instrument repairs… supplied lessons and scholarships to pupils who couldn’t afford it,” they added.
One of the schools they have supported over the last 15 years is Denefield School. Hickies have also worked with Berkshire Maestros to supply instruments and have sponsored the Reading Symphony Orchestra “to help young people with affordable instruments and lessons,” said the nominator.
The business also supplies hands-on instruments for the Noisy Kids events at the Hexagon and have recently partnered with Connect Reading to set up a music competition for Reading youth aged 12 to 16 with a £500 voucher prize.
“Hickies have been intrinsic in creating a music scene for Reading locals,” added a nominator.
It is the third oldest music shop in the UK and “has been bringing the gift of music to the local area for 160 years.
“William Elphick’s legacy is to ensure that every child and young person in the area is able to play an instrument by offering truly affordable options,” the nominator added.
The shop has also been nominated for the Business in Action award sponsored by Boyes Turner.
Pop Classics
A record shop in Caversham is an “exemplary candidate” for the award because it embodies “the spirit of community and cultural enrichment,” said its nominator.
Pop Classics Record Shop in St Martin’s precinct in Caversham, run by Damian Jones, “goes beyond merely selling records,” they added
“It serves as a vibrant hub where music lovers of all ages converge, sharing stories and discovering music together, thus revitalising the local community’s engagement with music and the arts.”
The shop hosts regular live events, from intimate concerts featuring local artists to vinyl listening parties that celebrate classics and new releases.
“These events not only boost local culture but also support emerging artists, providing them with a platform that might otherwise be inaccessible,” said the nominator.
They said the store, which sells and buys records, vinyl collections and memorabilia, plays a crucial role in the local economy by fostering a culture of support for independent businesses.
“In an era dominated by online shopping and large chains, the shop champions the importance of personal touch and community-focused retailing.
“Their knowledgeable staff not only offer recommendations and insights into music but also create an inviting atmosphere that welcomes conversation and exploration,” said the nominator.
The shop’s dedication to its patrons and the broader community is also reflected in their active participation in local charities and events, contributing significantly to the vibrancy and resilience of Caversham, they added.
“This engagement not only enhances the cultural fabric of the area but also sets a shining example of how independent businesses can thrive through community integration and innovation.”
Strong Womens Club
Two women who had a dream to support more women with their health, and help them understand their bodies better, started a gym in Church Street, Caversham.
“Being ‘women only’ allowed ladies of all religions to train without fear of judgement,” said their nominator.
Nat and Nic’s gym has “a big focus on support and education, for those struggling with menopause symptoms and deeper personal challenges putting barriers in the way and stopping them, to being able to exercise safely in a supportive and caring community.”
The gym is for women who have not ‘strength trained’ to learn new skills for long term health, said the nominator.
True Food Co-op
People travel from far afield to visit a local organic, independent, not-for-profit grocery shop but its impact locally is strong, said its nominator.
True Food Co-op in Emmer Green sells a full range of organic staples such as bread, unpackaged fruit and vegetables, meat, alcohol, and store cupboard essentials. And wherever possible it stocks and supports local producers.
Its nominator for the award said: “True Food is special because it also offers both organic zero-waste foods and ethical household cleaning and body care refill products.
“Choosing zero waste and refill products is a sustainable way of shopping that uses less packaging and single-use plastic.
“As consumers become increasingly eco aware, we believe that businesses such as True Food which offer greener alternatives will become increasingly prominent and sought after.”
Shoppers can order specialist items from True Food they can’t get elsewhere, they added.
True Food is a community co-operative which means it is owned by members, all of whom have a say in how the business is run.
“There are numerous volunteering opportunities with True Food, which further enhances the community aspect of the business,” said the nominator.
“Being part of the community is central to its business vision and there are regular events both at the store and elsewhere within Reading,” they said.
Web analytics show engagement from London, across Europe and even further afield, they added. Membership data and customer anecdotes confirm that people travel from all over to shop at True Food; “it is a destination shop”.
The shop has also been put forward for The Green Community Award sponsored by Tomato Energy.
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