CAREERS AND AWARDS
AURA FASHION BOUTIQUE WINS BEST NEW RETAILER AWARD
Abi Dee ( 04-11 ) could never have anticipated a global pandemic when she set up ‘ Aura ’, a women ’ s fashion and lifestyle boutique in Beverley three years ago . Yet despite exceptionally challenging times for retailers , Abi used her entrepreneurial skills to adapt to new opportunities , taking advantage of social media and online shopping to help steer her business through the lockdowns .
Thanks to Abi ’ s hard work and creativity , the business is thriving and the shop on Ladygate , which is now fully open again , has been voted one of the top 30 independent boutiques in the UK by readers of Grazia magazine and recently won Best New Retailer at the Drapers Independents Awards ceremony held in London in September 2021 .
The Grazia campaign ran towards the end of the last lockdown with the aim of boosting high street retailers around the UK as part of their Save Our Shops initiative . The Drapers Independents Awards recognise the very best independent fashion retailers and brands that have innovated to survive , supported their local communities , and built stronger businesses under the toughest of circumstances .
Abi commented : “ It was a complete surprise and it ’ s an amazing achievement as an independent retailer . The past 12 to 18 months have been extremely tough for everyone . The incredible
support and loyalty from our customers has truly blown us away ! We can ’ t thank them enough .”
When the shop was forced to close during the lockdowns , Abi turned to social media to engage with customers . Using Instagram , she held ‘ live ’ sales and posted styling videos , giving style advice and trying on different outfits , before uploading them to the website to encourage customers to keep shopping online . After a difficult year , gaining such recognition and winning an award as an independent boutique is testament to Abi ’ s resilience and perseverance and affirms the business ’ continued success .
For more information visit the Aura website www . aurastore . co . uk .
TOP ENTERPRISE AWARD AND BUSINESS GROWTH FOR OP FIRM
Apex Mortgage and Protection UK , the Pocklingtonbased start-up created by OP brothers , Lewis ( 96-03 ) and Joshua ( 96-03 ) Papa in 2019 has undergone a period of rapid growth winning a top enterprise award despite the challenges of the pandemic .
The business which specialises in providing income and life protection for military personnel through Lewis ’ connection with the Army as an excommando , also offers a broad range of mortgage and protection products to both domestic and business clients throughout the UK .
A strong housing market buoyed by the government ’ s Covid-19 support measures offering temporary stamp duty reductions along with branch closures of many high street banks has helped fuel demand over the last 12 months resulting in the company ’ s expansion from 8 advisors to 32 throughout the UK . 2020 also saw the addition of a Wills and Trusts arm to the business to complement Apex ’ s existing portfolio .
The business which prides itself on its values of integrity and professionalism stemming from Lewis ’ military background , has gone from strength to strength . Endorsement of this success came in November last year when Apex won two UK Enterprise awards for Best Military Financial Services Provider and Best Commercial Finance Provider .
Lewis commented , “ To win national recognition with these awards is really pleasing for us as a business . We work really hard to provide the best deals for our customers , so to get this type of acknowledgement is hugely satisfying not only for me and Josh as business owners but also for the team as a whole .”
To find out more about Apex Mortgage and Protection visit the website www . apexmp . co . uk .
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