Dame Caroline Dinenage MP has announced Finishing Touches Gift Shop in Lee-on-the-Solent as the winner of her Best Independent Shop Competition 2025 following a huge response from residents across the Gosport peninsula.
The competition, run on Caroline’s Facebook page, attracted over 100 nominations before the Top 10 finalists went head-to-head in a final public vote, with more than 2,000 votes cast.
Finishing Touches Gift Shop received the most votes and were closely followed by three runners-up:
· T By The Sea
· Lilly’s Beauty
· Pauper to King
Finishing Touches Gift Shop was opened by David Lowe and his wife Sharon in March 2007 and has been a thriving feature of the Lee-on-the-Solent community ever since. The shop is run by David, supported by Sharon and their team Laura, Liv, Angie, and Lelia.
Receiving the award, David said:
“It's lovely to be recognised by Caroline's Best Independent Shop Competition. We've been part of the community in Lee for many years, and this support means a great deal to us. We wouldn't be here without our amazing customers - we're incredibly grateful to every single one of them”
Caroline said:
“This competition has been a real celebration of the brilliant independent businesses we are lucky to have across Gosport, Stubbington, Lee-on-the-Solent, and Hill Head. With over 100 nominations and more than 2,000 votes cast, it is clear just how much local people appreciate the service, quality and character these businesses bring to our communities.
“It’s been a difficult few years for local traders, so it’s important to celebrate what they do for us and give residents a chance to demonstrate how much we value them.”
“Many congratulations to Finishing Touches Gift Shop, and to our fantastic runners-up: T By The Sea, Lilly’s Beauty and Pauper to King. I also want to thank every business that was nominated and everyone who took the time to vote. The support shown has been incredible.”
The Top 10 finalists in Dame Caroline’s Best Independent Shop Competition 2025 were:
· Finishing Touches Gift Shop
· A Slice Of Vinyl
· T By The Sea
· Lilly’s Beauty
· Pauper to King
· The Book Shop
· Re5 Customs
· The Dog Shop Gosport
· The Studio at ThirteenEight
· Dimensions Different
ENDS
For more information contact: [email protected]
