A POPULAR local spirits shop is in line for a top business award after being named a finalist in the Scottish Independent Retail Awards.

Stirling Whisky Shop, based in the town’s Spittal Street, has been shortlisted for Off License of The Year in the Central Region area.

The business is run by husband and wife team Cameron and June McCann, from Bridge of Allan, who are delighted the shop has been named as a finalist.

Mr McCann said: “It’s a great honour for us, our staff and for Stirling to be nominated for the awards which recognise the hard work of independent retailers.

“Since opening the shop four years ago, we’ve grown the business by increasing the number of brands and spirits we stock.

“We’re also proud to have attracted visitors to Stirling by hosting a variety of regular drinks tastings and festivals in the town.”

The winners of the 6th Scottish Independent Retail Awards 2017 will be announced at a glitzy ceremony next week following a public vote.

Organisers have been running an online campaign, via email databases and social media, over the past few months which have seen people vote for their favourite retail outlets.

The aim of the awards is to highlight the value independent shops bring to their communities and to recognise and reward the entrepreneurial spirit which lies behind these thriving businesses.

A spokesman for the Scottish Independent Retail Awards said: “The awards look to give a platform to local communities to voice their admiration and loyalty to their independent retailer of choice.”

The Retail Awards ceremony takes place on Tuesday April 25 at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Glasgow.

Irfan Younis, of event organisers Creative Oceanic, said: “We are delighted to see so many people to get involved in the Scottish Independent Retail Awards.

“We have had a fantastic response from the public and are looking forward to welcoming dedicated and successful independent retailers in a celebration of their hard work.”

June McCann is co-founder of Stirling Whisky Shop – one of the smallest off-sales shops in Scotland and based within Stirling’s Highland Hotel.

She said: “We’re proud to be an awards finalist – particularly as we’ve been voted for by members of the public - and are looking forward to the evening.

“Hopefully we’ll hear Stirling Whisky Shop’s name called out when the Off License of the Year is named on the night.”

Meanwhile, tickets are almost sold out for the company’s fourth annual Gin Festival which takes place in early November.

The popular two-day event gives drinkers the chance to learn about and taste up to 60 brands of gin and runs from Friday, November 3 to Saturday, November 4.

Stirling Whisky Shop also organises monthly gin and whisky clubs and an annual Whisky Festival which is held on Saturday, May 6 at the Highland Hotel.

For more information, go to www.stirlingwhiskyshop.com