Three top awards for Milton Keynes firm

A photography equipment retailer based in Milton Keynes has “exceeded all expectations” by being named Store of the Year in a global award competition.

Calumet Photographic, which has its head office in Tilbrook, was presented with the Manfrotto Store of the Year prize for its Drummond Street store in London.

The shop beat off stiff competition from many other leading worldwide companies.

The judges named the flagship store the best worldwide retail outlet because of its appropriate instore and outdoor branding signs, eye-catching store window displays and creative product display areas for Manfrotto products.

Vice-President of North Europe Operations for Manfrotto, Chris Carr said: “The judging panel formed of key members of our global HQ felt that Calumet Photographic’s attention-to-detail, in-depth industry knowledge and dedicated branded space in the shop window made them the stand-out winners for 2016.

“Calumet Photographic is an outstanding retailer and it was a real pleasure to announce the company as the recipient of our prestigious Global Store of the Year award.”

Continuing the company’s winning streak, Calumet Photographic was also recognised for its excellent customer service for the sixth year running, picking up Amateur Photography’s Gold Service award, which was established to recognise and reward outstanding retailers.

The firm, which has an online shop and eight stores across the country selling and renting photography and imaging equipment, was voted for by the readers of the industry magazine.

The third and final accolade for the company so far this year was the Best Hire Centre prize at the Photography Now awards. The rental part of the business allows amateur and professional photographers to hire cameras, lenses, lighting, video equipment and studio space at reasonable prices.

Jon Warner, Managing Director of Calumet Photographic, said: “We are not even halfway through the year yet and already Calumet Photographic has picked up three top prizes, one of which is an international award.

“We are hugely proud that our hard work, dedication and excellent customer service is paying off. We value all our customers and work hard to retain our reputation as one of the UK’s leading photography equipment retail and rental companies. I would like to thank our hardworking staff for all the effort they put in for enhancing the shopping experience for all our loyal customers.”