Jennie Crowhurst, owner of Pennyworths in Shaftesbury. Picture: This is Alfred.
Published: November 8, 2020 | Updated: 9th November 2020
A sweet shop owner is savouring success after winning the coveted ‘From IRL to URL’ category at this year’s eBay for Business Awards.
Jennie Crowhurst, owner of Pennyworths in Shaftesbury, is one of 11 eBay sellers to be recognised for their entrepreneurial success in the nationwide awards.
The 47-year-old only opened the Salisbury Street shop last month, her second outlet.
The original Pennyworths, in Truro, Cornwall, first opened in 2009.
Jennie decided to support her bricks and mortar business by launching an online website to sell her goods across the UK.
When the lockdown led to the closure of her business, she looked to eBay to shift her Easter stock that would otherwise have gone to waste.
eBay provided the quickest route to market for Jennie and she set up a temporary stock room at her home to fulfil all the orders.
Jennie said: “In January we had no idea what a difficult year it would be for bricks and mortar retailers.
“We’ve certainly had some tough decisions to make since then, but we end the year with a growing online business and two high street shops.
Pennyworths in Shaftesbury
“eBay provided us with fast access to a whole new customer base at the onset of the coronavirus pandemic when we needed it the most.
“Without that, we may well have closed our shop.
“We’re thrilled with our eBay award and it’s definitely a positive end to a roller coaster year.”
Each of the category prize winners receive a £5,000 prize to invest in their business.
Winners are also granted a free one-year eBay Anchor Store Subscription and access to eBay’s Concierge, the gold-plated customer service team – with a combined value of over £15,000 – to support them in growing their businesses over the next year.
The eBay for Business Awards is an annual event designed to recognise and celebrate the most inspiring sellers among eBay UK’s community of 300,000 small and medium-sized businesses.
The announcement follows a nationwide search for the best British businesses trading on the platform, following an exceptionally challenging year for many small businesses and entrepreneurs.
eBay received more than 1,200 entries for this year’s awards across all categories, ranging from kitchen table start-ups and university ‘side hustles’, to established family businesses and those complementing offline stores with online avenues.
Winners were selected by an expert panel of judges made up of eBay leadership, industry experts, and previous award winners, including Victoria Bischoff, Money Editor at the Daily Mail and Chris Dawson, Editor of Tamebay.
Murray Lambell, General Manager, eBay UK, said: “In what continues to be an exceptionally challenging year for so many, I’m delighted to have the chance to celebrate some of the most impressive small businesses trading on eBay UK.
“Entrepreneurs like Pennyworths Sweet Shop are a critical part of the UK economy and a reflection of the entrepreneurial spirit that helps this country thrive.
“It has been a privilege hearing their stories of resilience and determination, and I’m looking forward to seeing what the next year brings for these inspirational sellers.”
