Fern Avenue Antique Centre has won an award for ‘Best Small Retail Business’ in Newcaste City Council’s Small Business People’s Choice Awards, which take into account votes from the general public.

Owned by Seppe Anthony and Clare Smith, the centre is home to a community of around 30 local antique dealers and has been running for almost 10 years. Anthony said it was an “absolute honour” to be put forward for the award, and then to win it.

“It’s a huge honour to know that the people who come through the door have got confidence and faith in what we do,” he told JesmondLocal. “Our people are hardworking – I’m not even going to call them staff because they are friends and I know how hard they work, up at five in the morning to visit antique fairs, when it’s icy cold, walking around with a torch looking for stock.

“It’s great running a business in Jesmond. We’ve been here long enough to have developed it from just a few cabinets to what you see today – its ram-packed.”

According to Newcastle City Council leader Nick Kemp, small businesses like Fern Avenue Antique Centre are vital to the local economy. “A huge thank you to everyone who took the time to vote and give the recognition to these great businesses that they truly deserve,” he said.

The overall award went to Trillians Rock Bar in Newcastle city centre. It also won the “best small food and hospitality business” category.