Hexham business proud ahead of national awards in London

The Card Shop was established 45 years ago in 1979 by Janet Hardie and remains popular to this day, selling a range of items including greeting cards, gift wrap, ornaments and gifts for all occasions.

Janet admits that she should have perhaps retired but enjoys seeing her regulars come into the shop, while the success of her website means that her business is continuing to prosper.

And her and her staff's commitment to providing top quality customer service has certainly paid off, as the card shop was recently shortlisted as one of the top six nominees for the best independent greeting card retailer in the UK. 

Speaking to the Hexham Courant, Janet said: "I've been in business here for 45 years now. We're mainly a Hallmark gold crown store but we do sell lots of other products. We concentrate mainly on customer services, it's high up on my list of what I and the part-time girls have to do, more than anything else. We sell cards all over the country."

The shop has been a big part of Hexham for 45 years (Image: Supplied)

In July, Janet will travel down to London's Grosvenor House Hotel for the The Retas Awards 2024, facing up against five other entries from the North East. 

Janet added: "I should really be retired but I still enjoy it. As long I'm enjoying it and customers are still walking through the door. I will keep on doing it. We have a lot of regulars, and their families who all shop here now, so that is very positive for us. There have been lots of changes but people keep coming back."

The Card Shop will be up against Castle Cards (Barnard Castle) Chirpy (Chapel Allerton) Greetings Of Haxby (Haxby), Strictland & Holt (Yarm) and Who-Ray (Stockton-On-Tees) in the North East category at the awards evening.

But Janet is just happy to have been nominated. 

She concluded: "It's quite an achievement just to be nominated. I'm very happy with that, because we're just a small business really."