9 INDUSTRY NEWS Industry news Latest news from the craf industry Lavinia Stamps is delighted to be a finalist in the west Cheshire and north Wales Chamber of Commerce Recognition Awards for 2021 in the Business Growth Award Category sponsored by Nat West Bank. Lavinia Stamps was established in 2005 when founder artist Tracey Dutton started to design stamps for the card making industry and they have never looked back. Over the last year Lavinia Stamps has increased its business by over 130 per cent and now export to more than 35 countries worldwide, direct to individual retail customers, and specialist independent retailers. Trading predominantly online with a small retail shop and gallery, its customer base has grown significantly which has benefited from an increased presence on social media platforms with over three million page hits and more than 200,000 unique visitors in the last 12 months alone. Andrew Peers at Lavinia Stamps said of the recognition: “The last 18 months have been unpredicted for any business, and I believe that we have been fortunate that we offer one-of-a-kind products that we’ve delivered direct to our consumers to allow them to escape into a world that they love, the world of crafting. We’ve seen this by the increased amount of social media posts that we have received of their creations during this time. We’ve established a huge online community of crafters who offer encouragement to one another. It has been wonderful to see.” The Business Growth Award Category is open to businesses of all sizes and recognises those that have experienced exceptional growth in sales, profit, market share, jobs, or international trade. Judges will be looking for an organisation that can demonstrate the highest levels of growth with a strong plan for sustainable financial performance. Lavinia Stamps’ increase in sales has given rise to the recent acquisition of new premises which will facilitate the opportunity for further expansion including taking on additional staff members. Andrew added: “There are a range of new products coming on stream over the next few months that’ll have a significant impact on widening our market and increasing brand awareness. We still think of ourselves as a small business and getting to where we are now has been down to the hard work and dedication of our 11-strong workforce and I think we all feel this has been a tremendous achievement to even make the awards shortlist. All of us at Lavinia Stamps are very much looking forward to the future and relish the opportunity to continue this fantastic journey.” To find out more about Lavinia Stamps you can visit their website at https://laviniastamps.com Hale & Hearty after 30 years! Hale Events, the B2B events organiser based in Somerset, is celebrating 30 years of trading in 2021. “It’s been two very challenging years for the events sector” says Mike Anderson Managing Director, “but we’re now planning our events with confidence, and companies are booking stands because they are feeling the same way. We have to get on with it!” Hale Events connect food, drink, gift and home companies, with trade buyers, in south west England. Based in the historic town of Axbridge the company has now been trading for 30 years, employing a small close-knit team, and recently marked the occasion with a company barbecue complete with commemorative cake. For more information about Hale Events and its trade shows, visit www.hale- events.com Lavinia Stamps finalist at Chamber of Commerce Business Awards
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