The great and the good of the housewares industry will gather at the Royal Lancaster London Hotel for the 19th Excellence in Housewares Awards in two days time. Here is a sneak preview of the industry’s big night, organised by Progressive Housewares magazine in conjunction with bira (The British Independent Retailers’ Association).
In keeping with the 80s Electric Dreams Awards night theme, guests will be clutching their keepsake tickets styled as cassette tapes with 3D glasses. Various props will transport them back to the 80s and recreate a nostalgic glow, starting from the Champagne Reception through to the post Awards party. If you wish to swot-up on the finalists, you can view the official event brochure here.
Phones need to be fully charged for photo opportunities and posting on the HousewaresNews.net sponsored Twitter wall using #HousewaresAwards18. The best post of the night will win its tweeter an 80s inspired gift delivered by post.
Stand-up comedian and writer Tania Edwards is this year’s Excellence in Housewares Awards host. Recently supporting Katherine Ryan on a sell-out tour, Tania was in Glamour magazine’s top female comedians to see at the Fringe, and The Mirror’s top five jokes of the Fringe. Her comedy writing includes Stand Up For The Week, Twit of the Year (Channel 4), Mock the Week, Après Ski (BBC2), and The Unbelievable Truth (Radio 4).
A goody bag will welcome every guest with a stash of treasures to take home in a bespoke 80s themed reusable carrier. Meanwhile a host fabulous raffle prizes and treats (including a one to one cookery workshop with chef Marcus Bean and a £300 Selfridges spending spree) await a dozen lucky guests so attendees need to remember their cash or credit cards. The raffle raises much-needed funds for Shelter and The Rainy Day Trust.
Post Awards, there will be dancing and schmoozing into the small hours, with extra sustenance supplied by KitchenAid’s ‘Club Tropicana’ Cocktail Bar and SMART Worldwide’s ‘Top of the Pops’ Popcorn Cart. Guests are invited to add to their glamorous looks with complimentary sparkle from our Glitter Station.
With carriages at 2am, those with plenty of stamina will continue to celebrate at the Royal London Lancaster’s ‘after bar’ bar.
If you can’t be with us on October 3, you can still follow all the action on Twitter, with the @Prog_Housewares account revealing all of our Excellence in Housewares Awards winners in real-time.
Top: Last year’s winners of the coveted Excellence in Housewares Awards trophies on stage with 2017 Awards host Charlie Baker and organisers, Progressive Housewares.