ONE of North Yorkshire’s leading independent department stores has been named among the UK’s best retailers, after being shortlisted for two national awards.

Barkers Home, a furnishing and lifestyle store on Yafforth Road in Northallerton, has reached the finals of the Excellence in Housewares Awards 2016.

The awards, now in their 17th year, recognise and reward the UK’s top houseware retailers.

Barkers Home has been shortlisted in two categories; Excellence in Retail Display and Best Independent Department Store.

The winners will be announced on October 5 at an awards ceremony in London.

Only recently, the store finished third in the Association of Independent Stores Awards a national award voted for by suppliers on how Barkers operates behind the scenes and in store.

It comes six months after Barkers Home underwent a major £3.5million redevelopment – the biggest investment by Barkers, who also have the department store on Northallerton High Street.

Barkers Home was expanded by 20,000 square feet to 60,000 square feet – almost an acre-and-a-half and introduced new brands in contemporary furniture, linens, gifts and cookware.

Julie Poynton, homewares buyer for the cook, wine and dine section, said: “The Cook, Wine and Dine department was a brand new section in the Barkers Home so it’s a marvellous achievement to gain this recognition in the first six months.

“Everyone at the store has worked very hard to hopefully create both an enjoyable shopping experience and a unique lifestyle store that Northallerton can be very proud of.”

Barkers Home employs 60 staff, after the expansion created an extra 15 full and part-time jobs.

Following the redevelopment in March, they won in the commercial building category at the North and East Yorkshire Building Excellence Awards.

Barkers Home director Ian Barker said: “The whole redevelopment has transformed Barkers Home into a modern, vibrant store.

“We are delighted to have been recognised as an outstanding store. It is a testament to the hard work of all our staff.

“Being shortlisted in two categories at the Excellence in Housewares Awards caps a remarkable year for us.”

The Excellence in Housewares Awards are organised by Progressive Housewares magazine, in conjunction with the Cookshop and Housewares Association.

Jo Howard, editor of Progressive Housewares magazine, said: “The Excellence in Housewares Awards are widely recognised as the ‘Oscars’ for the housewares industry.

“There was an unprecedented level of competition this year, and the high calibre of all of our finalists goes to show how retailers are upping the game to provide service and customer experience.”