A FORMER finalist of the Reading Retail Awards is hoping to go one step further this year after being nominated for her excellent service.

Ira Forina-Ridgwell has again been nominated for the Service with a Smile category of the contest, after coming close to claiming the overall prize last year.

The health food specialist from Grape Tree said she would be ‘ecstatic’ to make the final shortlist again and praised her team’s efforts.

She said: “It is so nice to be recognised. I am the chatterbox of the team and we do have a lot of regular customers who come in on their lunch breaks and we get to know them really well.

“We depend on regular clients but we get one-off customers who pop in out of curiosity. We always make an effort and everyone is a delight to work with.

“I have been here for nearly two years, since the shop opened in May 2015, and it is something I take great pride in. I would be ecstatic to be named as a finalist again this year.

“I love the product and I love retail. I have always worked in retail and we have a team of four very similar people.”We all take our jobs very seriously, but also quite personally.

Ira is very familiar with the process of the Reading Retail Awards after reaching the finals of the Service with a Smile category in 2016.

She displays her certificate in the shop on the ground floor of Broad Street Mall. Regular customer, Malcolm Frank nominated her.

He added: “I shop in Grape Tree most lunch times. Though all the staff are great, Ira always has time for a chat.

“Apart from being knowledgeable and helpful she makes my day and I wish all stores had staff like her.

“I hope my vote makes a difference as she definitely deserves to win.

Entry forms are available at Broad Street Mall and The Oracle. Nominations close on Monday, July 10. Visit readingretailawards.co.uk for more information.