WITH the help of positive feedback from their customers, an equestrian store based in Heddon-on-the-Wall has claimed a national honour.

Houghton Country, which has a base in South Houghton, was voted the UK’s best mail order and internet retailer at the British Equestrian Trade Association (BETA) Business Awards. The company was also named runner-up in the medium retailer category.

The business was nominated by customers and impressed judges to be chosen as the winner from more than 1,000 entrants at the recent awards ceremony, held in Birmingham.

The retail side of the business started in 2001, when owner Diane Whiting started selling boots and helmets at the riding school she had established.

On the back of that, the demand to provide a one-stop shop for everything equestrian grew and the company now employs a team of 11 as it continues to expand.

With the market changing, and more people looking online for sales, the company has had to adapt and 60 per cent of its business now comes over the internet.

To cater for that demand, Houghton has established three successful e-commerce websites and is currently leading the way nationwide.

As the judges noted, ‘they provide a well-structured website with good navigation and shopping tools. Their dispatch and customer service put them clearly at the top of the list of finalists’.

The business just missed out on reclaiming the medium retail prize it won in 2014 by finishing second to an Ayrshire-based store.

Mrs Whiting said: “We are so thrilled that we have won and to also get runner-up for the shop.

“All the awards come from customer recommendations, and we are so excited our clients have taken the time to vote for us.”

The recognition is just reward for the hard work all members of the team put into the business, she added.

Headed by directors Sean and Diane Whiting, the successful day-to-day running of the business is the responsibility of manager Ceri Howard.

Mrs Whiting said: “We all have a role to play in the business. Everybody is pulling together and it is a great team effort from us all.”