Regional home furnishings retailer Glasswells has won a top accolade from Associated Independent Stores (AIS), the national buying group for family- and independently-owned stores.

Glasswells, which has home department stores in Bury St Edmunds and Ipswich and smaller shops in Haverhill and Saffron Walden, has been named AIS Member of the Year in the multiple store category.

AIS has around 350 members across the UK, Ireland and the Channel Islands, with its annual awards being based on votes cast by its suppliers, taking into account factors including the professionalism and product knowledge of staff, overall customer service and the quality of showrooms and displays.

Glasswells managing director Paul Glasswell said the company’s latest honour reflected its on-going commitment to offering a wide range of quality products to appeal to all tastes and styles.

“We’re over the moon once again with our independent retailing award,” he added. “Everybody constantly works hard to help make the Glasswells shopping experience one to remember and we always encourage feedback from our customers; it’s pleasing that this continues to be recognised by other retailing professionals.”

In addition to its main stores, Glasswell has also just opened a discount furniture outlet in Sudbury, where it previously traded from 1979 until 2004.