Soup Dragon in North London’s Crouch End – which specialises in traditional toys, quirky retro, contemporary and unusual gifts, as well as funky clothing and accessories for babies and children – won the Best Independent Gift Retailer category in the virtual Progressive Preschool Awards, held at the end of last week (November 12).
Also triumphant on the night was the Sustainable Toy Range from Bigjigs Toys which won the award for the Best Preschool Gift Range.
Before the Awards kicked off, Fran Bishop, a contestant on The Apprentice in 2016, and currently owner of three The Pud children’s clothing stores, inspired over 500 attendees with her story and impassioned views on independent retailing in a special pre-awards interview. Alan Dedicoat – the ‘voice of the balls’ for the National Lottery, and the voice-over on Strictly Come Dancing – announced the winners.
“It was wonderful to bring everyone together this evening – an industry united, not separated by distance,” commented Rob Willis, director of Max Publishing, which owns and organises the event. “Well done to all the winners and worthy finalists. While not the same as a physical event, the banter and camaraderie in the ‘session rooms’, and in the busy chat log, certainly engendered a lively feeling of togetherness.”
The full list of winners of The Progressive Preschool Awards 2020 are as follows:
Best Supermarket Retailer of Preschool Products
Sainsbury’s
Sponsored by ViacomCBS
Best Multiple Retailer of Preschool Products
The Entertainer
Sponsored by Misirli
Best Mixed Retailer of Preschool Products
Argos
Sponsored by Rainbow Designs
Best Department Store Retailer of Preschool Products
John Lewis & Partners
Sponsored by Walker Books
Best Online Retailer of Preschool Products
Character.com
Sponsored by Aykroyd & Sons
Best Independent Nursery Retailer
Adorable Tots, Rochdale
Sponsored by East Coast Nursery
Best Independent Gift Retailer
Soup Dragon, Crouch End
Sponsored by Hippychick
Best Independent Apparel Retailer
Popsy and Peanut, Towcester
Sponsored by Amscan International
Best Independent Toy Retailer
Toys ‘n’ Tuck, Southend on Sea
Sponsored by RH Smith & Sons (Smiffys)
Best Preschool Apparel and Accessories Range
AW20 Collection from Blade & Rose
Sponsored by Hasbro
Best Preschool Toy Range
PlanToys Detective Set from Little Concepts
Sponsored by BBC Studios
Best Preschool STEM Range
Botley Coding Robot Range from Learning Resources
Sponsored by Dr. Gummer’s Good Play Guide
Best Preschool Publishing Range
The Gruffalo’s Child Musical Advent Calendar from Danilo
Sponsored by Redan Publishing
Best Preschool Home or Furniture Range
Oasis Oval Cot from Boori
Sponsored by Harrogate International Nursery Fair
Best Preschool Gift Range
Sustainable Toy Range from Bigjigs Toys
Sponsored by Centum Books
Best Wheeled Goods/Car Seats Range
CRUZ V2 Stroller from UPPAbaby
Sponsored by Vista Public Relations
Best Preschool Kids Lifestyle Range
About Friends Collection from Lassig
Sponsored by Poetic Brands
Best Infant Development Range
That’s Not My… Collection from Rainbow Designs
Sponsored by Azaria PR
Best Preschool Essentials Range
Zed from Rockit
Sponsored by Media Snug and Nursery Online
Best Wholesaler or Distributor of Preschool Product
Hippychick
Sponsored by London Toy Fair
The Outstanding Achievement Award
Lisa Bryant, founder of Bump PR
Sponsored by Toymaster
Those who missed this evening’s event can catch up on the Max Publishing YouTube channel or by visting #PPSA20
