Aberdeen furniture retailer Annie Mo’s has been named as the UK’s Favourite Local Business in a national competition sponsored by Miconex.

The retailer, which is based on Union Street, has also won a £500 Aberdeen Gift Card as a prize.

More than 4,000 votes were cast for over 1,000 different businesses in the competition which amassed entries from towns and cities from Aberdeen to the Isle of Wight, covering all sectors including retail and hospitality – with Annie Mo’s receiving the most votes in the UK.

All of the businesses are part of Miconex’s Town & City Gift Card programmes around the UK. The cards encourage ‘shop local’ and can be spent with both big brands and indie businesses.

Emily McDonald, who runs Annie Mo’s with her mother Judith, said: “I don’t think winning the UK’s Favourite Local Business has really sunk in yet. We’re just a small shop doing our best and I’m so proud of the whole team and so thankful to our customers.

“The Aberdeen Gift Card is such a good idea for encouraging local spending and providing tangible support for local businesses just like ours. The choice on offer with the card makes it an ideal Christmas gift, for friends or for your staff.”

Shona Byrne, project manager with Aberdeen Inspired who oversees the gift card scheme for the city, said: “We have always known that Annie Mo’s is one of Aberdeen’s most-loved shops – but for it to be named the UK’s Favourite Local Business in a national competition is a magnificent achievement.

“Judith and Emily don’t just run a shop – they are curators of a Granite City institution and tireless champions for the vibrancy and importance of our city centre.

“Annie Mo’s is an exemplar of what local businesses can and should be – a bedrock in the community and a driver for the economy, leading the way with vision and passion.

“They richly deserve the prestigious accolade of the UK’s Favourite Local Business and I know everyone in the city will join all of us here at Aberdeen Inspired in congratulating them.”