A FROME gift shop which specialises in satirical cards and gifts has been named as the best gift shop in Somerset – and the owners now have their eyes on the national title.
Hung Drawn Quoted were nominated for England’s Business Awards by an anonymous person, with the gift shop picking up the coveted prize on September 1.
The shop will now battle it out among other highly rated gift shops around the UK, with the grand final taking place in November.
Hung Drawn Quoted, nestled at the top of Catherine Street close to Bistro Lotte, is well known in the town for its satirical window displays.
Kate Talbot-Padgett and her husband Neil bought the shop at auction in 2021 and spent the last three years renovating it “to its former glory”.
Ms Talbot-Padgett said she was “delighted” to win the award.
“We don’t actually know who nominated us in the first place but our customers are very passionate about what we do and they always bring their friends and families to visit us,” she said.
Ms Talbot-Padgett designs the cards at the shop herself, often drawing on vintage comics and current events for her inspiration.
“What makes us different is that our subject matter deals with the current political and social climate but manages to add humour to what are indeed bleak times,” she said.
“Our window tableaus, which feature my soft sculptures of our political leaders are a source of much entertainment as I turn their words back on them.
Kate Talbot-Padgett and her husband Neil at the award nigh in Bristol Picture: England’s Business Awards
“My work has always had a political and social aspect in as much as we all come across situations where what goes on in the corridors of power directly affects how we live.
“I have always been more interested in the ordinary rather than the extraordinary so I am inspired by anything from the daily headlines to what you might find in your shopping basket.
“I use a lot of vintage comics for inspiration in my greetings cards. The quality of illustration in those images are fabulous and you can always find an image that will work for the topic you want to address.
“The nostalgic feel of those images lends a great weight to the punchline as people tend to want to look back to better times rather than face looking forward.
Picture: Hung Drawn Quoted
“Not all my subject matter is politically inspired, I do a full range of cards to cover all subjects with a humorous twist but it is the political work that sells best.”
Ms Talbot-Padgett said her customers tend to be middle aged men – “not a common demographic catered for on the high street,” she said.
“They follow my work with close attention and often come to see how I have dealt with the latest parliamentary fiasco.
“My shop is also a place where people like to share their views and feel free to speak their minds. I design the work on my mac and print most of the cards and gifts here on the premises.”
The shop is also a gallery and vintage tearoom.
Ms Talbot-Padgett said due to the shop’s location at the top of Catherine Street, they often miss out on passing trade Picture: Hung Drawn Quoted
Ms Talbot-Padgett said the tea room is a step back in time and reminds most people of their childhoods as they pick out items they remember their mothers or grandmothers having.
She added: “We make a great cup of tea and have no less that 22 varieties of traditional biscuits. We use pyrex cups and saucers and the old swan metal teapots that pour without leaking unlike most modern teapots!
“We host workshops in our gallery where there is the ‘Library of Creativity’, my vast collection of art and craft books. Visitors are welcome to use the books while they enjoy a cuppa.”
Ms Talbot-Padgett said due to the shop’s location, they often miss out on passing trade as people tend to think that there is little beyond the top of Catherine Hill.
She said: “We would like to use our recent win to not only promote our business but to give a shout out to people that there are more shops and businesses at this end of town.”
For more information about the shop, visit their website.
Hi Kate
Just would like to wish you congratulations on your fabulous award. You might remember me… I looked after you in Yeovil District Hospital and you very kindly sent ma one of your brilliant mugs!! It turns out coincidentally that I met you many moons ago at Hazel Hill through Rob and Fi! I believe more recently you have become very close with Pops and Pili too. Such a strange coincidence. Anyway until the next meet I thought I would touch base. Might see you again in another twenty years. X