Interiors shop Blanchard Collective has been nominated for the Homes and Antiques Magazine Awards.

The Froxfield-based business has been shortlisted in the Antiques Centre of the Year category and the news came as a surprise to owner Margaret Riordan.

She said: “We did not nominate ourselves for the award, I suppose somebody else must have.

“I don’t know if we have a chance of winning because, strictly speaking, we are not an antiques centre but an interiors dealership that stocks antique items. I suppose it will depend on whether we meet the criteria.”

Now in its second year, the Homes and Antiques Maga-zine Awards celebrate some of the most interesting businesses on the high street – antiques shops, vintage stores and antiques centres.

The magazine was full of praise for the Blanchard Collective, in Littlecote Road.

It said: “The current trend of mixing styles and blending old and new is reflected perfectly in the eclectic mix on offer at this irresistible destination – a purpose-built showroom of 6,000 sq ft that’s home to 18 dealers.”

Shoppers can now vote for the Blanchard Collective by picking up a form in store or visiting www.homesand antiques.com Mrs Riordan said: “We have forms so people can vote, but we certainly don’t ask people to vote, it is up to them if they want to.”

The deadline to cast votes is February 28.