A win for the family

MAKE An Entrance has been awarded the title of Small Family Business of the Year after beating competition from across the UK.

The Family Business of the Year Awards 2023 celebrate the very best of British family firms across all areas of the UK and are given by region, sector, and nationally in recognition of sustainability, entrepreneurship, innovation, and engagement with the local community.

Lincoln-based Make An Entrance won the overall Small Family Business of the Year award specifically aimed at family businesses with fewer than 40 employees.

Judges were particularly impressed with the story of how Sam and Stuart Burlton have prevented the traditional skill of handmade doormat making being lost to UK manufacturing, while being a thoroughly up to the minute ecommerce business.

James Shore, Head of Family Business at SME Capital which sponsored the award said: “The family has built an awardwinning business with an incredible web presence and become a market leader in what they do, rekindling the art of a traditional craft that was being lost.

“The duo behind the business is a formidable force and entrepreneurial in nature, treating others as they want to be treated themselves. They are professional and commercial, kind and valued as a business and a business at the heart of their community. Sustainability plays its part and innovation drives the business forward.”

Stuart and Samantha Burlton were delighted with the company’s win: “We are so proud that the business we created together, following in the footsteps of Stuart’s father Allen has been recognised by these prestigious awards. Running a small family business is hard work at times and the last few years have presented significant challenges for us as UK manufacturers. “To win this award is an enormous pat on the back for all the hard work of our entire team, who diligently put in the work every day for our customers. We are a family business and we count all our employees as members of that family, so this is a win for the whole team.”

First class second-hand service

SECOND-hand is not second best as Lincoln-based Polarn O. Pyret proved with its win at the Drapers Sustainable Fashion Awards 2023.

The Swedish childrenswear brand (PO.P) was crowned winner of the Best Circularity Initiative for its industry-leading secondhand service, successfully completing a circular fashion model. Fighting off competition from the likes of eBay, M&S, Barbour and Mulberry, PO.P was praised for putting circularity at the core of its business and growth plans.

Judges were also impressed at how the brand evidenced a second-hand marketplace led to less products being made. PO.P Second Hand, was made available across its entire clothing collection in January this year with a free returns service.

PO.P UK managing director of Mats Nilsson (pictured) said: “Longevity has always been at the heart of our design ethos and our commitment to make clothes that last at least three children is one of our core missions, but with our now awardwinning Second-Hand Service, we`re not only guaranteeing this but extending the life of each garment even further.”

Jill Geoghegan, Drapers editor, said: “We’re three years into what’s been deemed the critical decade in the fight against climate change. Forward-thinking fashion businesses know change is not an option and are embracing their responsibilities and ability to make a difference, despite challenging trading condition.”