Love Your High Street Awards 2025: The Finalists

Driftwood Designs is a creative Welsh business combining art, retail, and community, with shops, local support, and UK-made products.

Driftwood Designs was founded 13 years ago by school friends Lizzie Spikes and Becky Barratt. What began as a small venture selling prints and cards at a local farmers market has grown into a thriving creative business with three high street shops across Wales, a large e-commerce store, and a team of 18 full and part-time staff. Driftwood Designs also supplies products to over 200 wholesale customers, reaching from the top of Scotland to the Isle of Wight. All manufacturing is proudly sourced within the UK.

At its core, Driftwood Designs is a customer-focused business. High street shoppers benefit from special offers, bespoke products made to order, and even hand-delivery of local orders when needed. All three shops have Welsh-speaking staff to serve customers in their first language, and each location is dog- and cat-friendly, encouraging customers to browse comfortably with their pets.

The business plays an active role in supporting the local community. They regularly donate raffle prizes to charities and community events and fund the design and printing of an independent retailers map for Aberystwyth to help promote local businesses. Driftwood Designs also leads the creative work for the town’s annual ‘shop local’ campaigns, funding posters and signage.

They help organise and promote children’s activities throughout the year and sponsor several local initiatives, including a children’s football team and gym memberships for the local adult women’s team. The business is also a proud sponsor of the local business awards, which celebrate the achievements of fellow independents.

Loveone is a vibrant gift shop in Ipswich, blending curated retail with deep community ties, local art, and event-led high street revival.

This independent gift shop has built a strong reputation as a one-stop destination for gifts, offering friendly, expert advice on card and gift selections, along with a free gift-wrapping service. Many of the producers and makers they stock are personally known to the team, allowing them to speak confidently about the provenance of their products. Loveone also serves as an information hub, hosting a wide range of brochures and flyers to promote local venues and events.

Recognising the importance of experience-led retail, Loveone maintains an engaging presence both in-store and online. Their website includes a click-and-collect option, making it easier for hybrid and flexible workers to reconnect with the high street. Their Instagram account is used to showcase new product ranges, seasonal highlights, and community events creating a truly experiential connection with customers.

Over the past 18 years, the business owner Cathy has been deeply involved in the local community. A founding member of the Saints Street Markets, Cathy helped establish the twice-yearly artisan market 15 years ago. She also co-founded Saints Ipswich CIC to support local events through grant funding and manages the group’s Instagram and website.

Cathy was the first small business representative to sit on the Ipswich Central BID board and recently completed two terms as a trustee of the local theatre. Her latest project is launching the Ipswich Book Festival, taking place across multiple venues in collaboration with other local businesses and community groups. Cathy also mentors start-ups and provides opportunities for local artists to showcase their work in-store and in the shop window.

R:evolve Recycle is transforming fashion through swaps, thrift, and community, tackling waste while empowering people and the planet.

R:evolve Recycle is a social enterprise transforming the fashion industry by tackling the environmental impact of fast fashion. Its mission is to reduce textile waste, promote sustainable consumption, and empower individuals to make eco-conscious choices that lower their carbon footprint. With three main objectives, namely People, Place, and Planet, R:evolve addresses inequality, supports local regeneration, and promotes climate action.

Operating across Cambuslang and Rutherglen, R:evolve offers a range of services including a Swap Shop, clothing bank, and its flagship thrift + gift boutiques. These high street stores sell high-quality pre-loved clothing, accessories, and gifts, while also hosting a dedicated space for recycled crafting materials called Wee Jinty’s Haberdashery. Named in honour of a beloved volunteer, the haberdashery promotes mending and upcycling as a creative and affordable lifestyle.

The organisation also supports local artists, students, and makers, offering retail opportunities and helping develop creative careers. Its Community Hub hosts workshops and drop-in sessions, providing safe, person-centred environments for people to learn, build networks, and contribute.

Since 2015, R:evolve has saved over 200 tonnes of textiles from landfill, completed 100,000+ swap/shop transactions, and supported over 12,000 members. Its 65 volunteers have logged over 53,000 hours, with many reporting increased wellbeing, confidence, and friendships. All profits are reinvested into its free community services. The thrift + gift model focuses on adding value, both to garments and to people, rather than profit. With a growing impact and a sustainable future, R:evolve is redefining fashion as a force for environmental and social good.

Vintage at the Tower blends sustainable style with community spirit, offering hand-picked vintage finds and award-winning local impact.

Vintage at the Tower is a much-loved treasure trove of high-quality preloved items, located in the village of Corbridge in the heart of Northumberland. With sustainability at its core, the shop specialises in vintage clothing, homeware, jewellery, and accessories—each piece lovingly recycled, hand-restored, and given a new lease of life. Sourced from local clients, markets, fairs, and online, all items are carefully selected to avoid landfill and promote conscious consumption.

Customers value the curated, quirky collection and the warm, knowledgeable service. The shop has a loyal local following and welcomes returning visitors year after year. With a reputation for style, quality, and sustainability, the team offers expert advice on purchases, garment care, and always signposts customers elsewhere if needed. A no-quibble returns policy applies both in-store and online, and a monthly newsletter keeps customers up to date on stock, events, and special offers.

The business has grown to include a successful Etsy store and website, attracting customers worldwide. Recent funding will support further development of the online shop and marketing strategy. Currently employing two part-time staff and several local subcontractors, Vintage at the Tower also produces a small range of vintage-style hand knits.

The founder chairs Visit Corbridge, supporting local businesses and organising key community events including the annual Midsummer Evening and charity fashion show. In May 2025, Vintage at the Tower was recognised nationally with The Small Awards “High Street Hero” title—an honour celebrating the hard work of the whole team.