A TRIO of businesses are toasting success after scooping prizes at the Scottish Independent Retail Awards.

Sharon’s Hair and Beauty Boutique, Graze Coffee and Chocolate House, and Demi’s Florist were among the winners at the national awards ceremony in Glasgow.

The awards celebrate the contributions of the country’s independent retailers to the overall economy, as well as the diverse nature of businesses.

They also recognise the business acumen and entrepreneurial spirit of individuals that own smaller chains, whose work is often overshadowed in the bigger landscape.

Sharon’s Hair and Beauty Boutique, based on Haddington’s Market Street, was crowned the winner of the Hair and Beauty Salon of the Year for the south-east of Scotland before narrowly missing out on the national prize.

Owner Sharon Edgar was delighted with the win, which sees the business celebrating for the second time in six months, and thanked clients for their support.

Towards the end of last year, the business won the Customer Service of the Year prize at the Scottish Hair and Beauty Awards.

Sharon said of the latest win: “It was absolutely brilliant.

“We could not believe winning the award so close to winning the last award in December. We were just not expecting it.

“We have got such a fabulous team and the girls here are just so, so good.”

Meanwhile, Graze Coffee and Chocolate House was named the winner of the Coffee Shop of the Year south-east section.

Martin and Lorraine Ferguson have been running the business on Dunbar High Street for nearly 13 years.

And they have enjoyed plenty of success, having previously been crowned the Scottish Independent Retailer 2017 Coffee Shop of the Year.

Lorraine said: “I think this is year three [of winning awards]. We got the overall Scotland prize in 2017 and then the east of Scotland prize last year and this year.

“We work hard, give people what they want – great service, great food and home-baking.

“Obviously, we have got really great customers, loyal customers, and we would not have the business without them.”

Meanwhile, Demi Macleod, owner of Demi’s Florist, which is based in Portobello, is celebrating her fourth victory in the florist category.

The Port Seton resident has been running her business for more than 20 years now and still loves her work.

She said: “It’s important to be passionate about what you do, which I am.

“It can be a competitive industry so a lot of the time you’re just grateful to be keeping afloat.”

“The staff here work so hard as well, we’re a good team.

“It’s fabulous, and the awards night was such good fun.”