A HEALTH food shop in Edinburgh’s New Town is up for a prize in the Scottish Independent Retail Awards.
Hanover Healthfoods on Hanover Street is up for Specialist Retailer of the Year, for its quality supplements, organic produce, and eco-friendly lifestyle products.
The shop is one of many Edinburgh-based businesses recognised in the ranks, including three in the bookshop category alone.
In 2024, Hanover Healthfoods celebrated its 120th year serving the Scottish capital, stating they are “probably” the oldest health store in the world.
They are up against nine others in the category, including the Highland Health Store in Perth and Edinburgh’s own Eteaket Leaf Tea Co on Giles Street.
The team at Hanover Healthfoods pride themselves on stocking quality Scottish produce, such as 70% dark hot chocolate made in East Lothian, and muesli bars made in Perthshire.
Still standing strong, it has survived two world wars, and is one of Edinburgh’s oldest retailers, established in 1904.
They state they are “probably” the oldest health store in the world and were proudly the first retailer in the UK to be an Accredited Living Wage, Pension and Hours Employer.
John Mckee, director of Hanover Healthfoods said today: “We are delighted that our little store has been again shortlisted for Best Specialist Store at the annual Scottish Independent Retail Awards, along with so many great wee businesses up and down Scotland.
“When so many family-run businesses are struggling, the awards provide an excellent opportunity for us all to shout about how damn great we are.”
The awards consist of 30 categories ranging from hair salon of the year to best fishmonger, and countless businesses from Inverness to Falkirk are involved.
John, who has been working at the shop for over 30 years now, went on to say: “We all put our hearts, souls, and every drop of energy into our businesses and it’s great when the public recognise and support this.”