BOUTIQUE owner Davina Armitage is celebrating winning final spots at major awards.

Davina owns Cocaranti in Knutsford, which specialises in premium denim and casuals and international designer brands.

The King Street business is a finalist in the Drapers Independents Awards 2019; for the second year running in the Best Customer Experience category, and for the first time in the Independents Community Awards category, which highlights the important role independent retailers play in their community.

The awards celebrate the innovation and talent of the best independent fashion retailers from across the UK and Ireland, and are among the most admired and highly respected events in the industry.

Owner Davina Armitage said: “To be recognised at such a high level for the genuine and personal customer service we offer, when that’s at the core of what we do at Cocaranti, makes being shortlisted for the Customer Experience Award for the second year running particularly special.

"One of the boutique’s main strengths is the personalised, friendly and honest shopping environment we continually strive to maintain, and which is central to our customers experience.

"I want my customers to feel they can come in and have a browse without feeling any pressure to make a purchase.

"We will give honest feedback on any item, even if this means losing a sale, as for us we want the customers to go home and love the items they purchase, which in turn will make them feel confident in shopping with us again."

The judges’ decision for shortlisting the Best Customer Experience category included a report following a visit from an independent mystery shopper.

Cocaranti is thrilled to have been been shortlisted in the Independents Community Awards.

Cocaranti held a very successful Elle For Elle fundraiser combined with its SS19 fashion show, raising more than £600 for the charity, supporting a cause introduced to Davina by one of her customers, a cause she felt her other customers would be keen to support.

Davina added: “Our customers are our community, so maintaining a strong profile in the wider local community reinforces our brand awareness and ethos to our local customers.

“It is because of this reason that we feel passionate to get involved in events in the town which enable us to contribute to the community, such as the Bunny Hop and Pumpkin Path, along with helping organise the inaugural Flash Fashion event in May.

"By working with the other retailers we also hope to encourage more people to shop locally and support the smaller independents rather than travelling to the nearby larger cities or department stores.

Sandra Curties, Knutsford town centre manager said: “Davina is a valuable member of the local business community.

“Knutsford has a busy event calendar which is only made possible by the contribution of local retailers.

“Davina is at the forefront of these events; not only does she participate in pre-event publicity and marketing - she will attend on the day, often with her young family, and is an independent retailer with a love of all things local.”

The award winners will be revealed in September at a ceremony at The Brewery in London.