Robinson’s Traditional Stationers in Harleston celebrates certificate and ten years in town

A Harleston stationers has celebrated not only being on the high street for more than a decade, but also taking a highly commended accolade at the South Norfolk Business Awards.

Owned by Kieran Robinson and helped by sales assistant Annie Donlon, Robinson's Traditional Stationers in The Thoroughfare celebrated its business milestone in December.

Then after being nominated and making it to the final of the district council’s awards on March 5, the shop scooped a highly commended certificate in its Retailer of the Year category.

Annie said: “We are just delighted. We were so happy to be in the top three for a second year in a row and then it was just a complete shock when we told we were highly commended in the category.

“We were just happy to be in the top three and put Harleston on the map – it was emotional, we were absolutely stunned and thrilled all at the same time.”

Kieran worked at another stationers before opening Robinson’s at a different location in the high street and then moved to this premises in 2017, when Annie started.

The business offers everything from pens and paper, arts and craft materials to instant photographs, canvas and printing from A0 to wedding invitation cards.

But Annie believes Robinson’s offers so much more than that.

She said: “It is an individual personal service that people can not get by ordering stuff online.

“The granny who comes in for a pen once a month is as equally important to us as the business that spends £500 a month – that is what makes us stand out.

“Also, we are really lucky to have such an incredibly loyal customer base, who do not just come in for stationery but sometimes for a chat or a bit of local knowledge.

“We are humbled by the support we get and the messages we have had since we got the certificate – we love supporting our town and that they have supported us through the years, too.”