A FAMILY-run electrical store established 100 years ago has been named Best Independent Consumer Electronics Retailer for the third time in three years.

Dacombes of Wimborne, which specialises in domestic appliances, TVs and state-of-the-art cinemas, won in the small retailer category of the ERT Awards.

Managing director Matt Renaut said: "We’re delighted that all the hard work of our staff at Dacombes has been rewarded. It’s a terrific way to kick off the celebrations for our centenary year of business in Wimborne in 2022.

He added: “This accolade shows that customers want the expertise and personal service which a business likes our offers free along with competitive prices that match or are even lower than online retailers.”

Meanwhile, Julie Gray, who has worked for Dacombes for five years scooped the Sales Excellence Award.

She said: “I was thrilled to win this category – especially as it was the first time we’ve entered it.

“I’m so passionate about this business. Great customer service is at the core of our ethos. From helping customers purchase the right appliance through to installation and technical support – we offer it all. There’s no robotic, hard-to-reach call centre - we provide everything in person.”

Dacombes is looking to expand and recently purchased a 4500 sq.ft warehouse on the outskirts of Wimborne to be used for appliance storage.

Editor of ERT magazine and a judge for the ERT Awards, Jack Cheeseman, said: “Huge congratulations to the team at Dacombes of Wimborne for winning not just one, but two awards this year.”

He added: “There have been a lot of ups and downs over the past two years, but we’ve heard great success stories from many retailers up and down the country really going the extra mile. Dacombes of Wimborne is certainly one of these.

“With its new home cinema demo room and hugely helpful in-store team – especially Julie Gray, who very deservedly won our Sales Excellence Award - the judges were really impressed with the hard work put in to help make the store a success.”