Sole winners of National Footwear Award
The local chain of independent, family-run, children’s boutiques, Belle Enfants, were given the great accolade of being voted National winners of Best Independent Children’s Footwear Retailer for 2013.
Amanda and Hannah Arkell – mother and daughter co-owners – were joined by Store Managers, Emma Butler and Lauren Richards, at a sumptuous awards ceremony and dinner at The National Motorcycle Museum in Birmingham. Nick West of Garvalin Children’s Shoes presented the award on behalf of the Footwear Industry.
Amanda said, “We are honoured to have received this award which acknowledges all the hard work that our whole team has put into making Belle Enfants the success that it is today. Every member of staff, right down to Saturday girls, has been fully trained by the Society of Shoe-fitters to measure and fit children’s shoes correctly. Hannah and I believe in great service and great products, and this is the ethos that we have based our business upon. Belle Enfants now offers a boutique shopping experience without prohibitive prices for design led clothing, shoes, toys, gifts and accessories for children from birth to 10 years old.”
Belle Enfants will be promoting ‘Keep Feet Fit’ week from 25th March to encourage parents to ensure their children’s feet are correctly fitted and as such continue to offer free no obligation measuring and checking of existing footwear, along with a great loyalty discount scheme that works across the whole store.
Hannah said, “I have learnt how easy it is to take feet for granted and have seen the long term effects of poorly fitting shoes on foot and general health – I would definitely encourage mums to get their children’s footwear fitted properly right through from first steps to teens.”
Belle Enfants have stores in Christchurch, Lymington and Ringwood and can be found online at www.belleenfants.co.uk.
