A community shop run by local members of the craft community in Omagh has been shortlisted for a national small business award.
The Omagh Craft Collective on Market Street in the town is run by six local volunteers, with 49 crafters housed under its roof.
The initiative was first set up a year ago in order to support small local businesses during the pandemic, and have now been shortlisted for the ‘Heart of Gold award at the Small Awards, which recognises small businesses throughout the UK.
Read more: Police slam Dungannon drink drivers after multiple arrests
One of the volunteers who helps to run the initiative, Caroline Dilworth from Irvinestown, says they are overwhelmed at being shortlisted for the community award.
“There are six of of us that run it and we don’t get paid to run it, we do it on a voluntary basis.
“We have 49 crafters at the minute, so there are 49 individual businesses and two of those people are under 18.
“One is 17 and one is 14 and we’ve put them on a young entrepreneur programme and give them advice on how to run their business, how to work out profits and they don’t pay us any rent.
“We were put up for an award for small businesses in the whole of the UK and we are now one of the eight finalists.
“We were shortlisted due to our young entrepreneur programme and the fact that we also raise money for the Air Ambulance.
“We’re just delighted to be shortlisted and we can’t wait for the awards night," added Caroline.
The awards will take place in Hyde Park in London on May 19, and Caroline said it was great recognition for the work they do in the local community.
“Caroline continued: It’s a great recognition for us because there are six of that volunteer to do this and three others that work in the shop, and it’s just recognition that we’ve done something good.
“We know we’re doing something good for the local community but it’s just great to have somebody from the outside looking in recognising that.
“These awards are recognised throughout the whole of the UK and here we are in a small town in Co Tyrone.
“We have been going for over a year now and we’re still here, pandemic or not.
“It’s a wee boost for us here and great for morale.”
Read more: Co Tyrone man tells how wife saved his life after cardiac arrest
Read more: Loughshore lorry effort delivers £40,000 in aid to Ukrainians
For the latest breaking Co Tyrone news straight to your inbox, sign up for our newsletter here.
