Becca and Nicola Hardingham
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News update – July 2022
SALISBURY RETAILER TAKES HOME A DOUBLE WIN AT THE HOUSEWARES AWARDS 2022
Salisbury-based family-run cookware and homeware business, Dinghams, has won Independent Retailer of the Year and Cookshop of the Year at The Housewares Awards 2022.
The Housewares Awards recognises excellence across the housewares sector, celebrating innovative manufacturers and exceptional retailers.
Entrepreneurial sisters, Becca and Nicola Hardingham, run Dinghams and representing the business at the prestigious event, which was held in London at the Chelsea Harbour Hotel on Thursday 7th July 2022, were Dinghams Sarah Hardingham and Nicola Hardingham Creative Director.
Collecting the two awards, Sarah and Nicola who are in fact, aunt and niece, were delighted to win and commenting on the awards, Nicola said: “We were so proud to be shortlisted but when we won, not only one but two awards, we were over the moon!
“It was such a good atmosphere at the awards event, and so nice to see fellow suppliers and retailers”
Becca (age 30) and Nicola (age 27) took over the business in 2017 and immediately faced the Salisbury poisonings followed by the devastating effects of the pandemic. Despite these challenges the team has pivoted how it operates and Dinghams is all the better for this.
Dinghams managing director Becca Hardingham explains: “Dinghams is a destination for cooking and homeware enthusiasts so forecasting the latest cooking, baking and lifestyle trends as well as current colour and kitchen trends ensures our product range is bang up-to-date. We couldn’t be prouder of our fantastic team – what an achievement!”
Operating from its two-story store in the heart of Salisbury centre in Wiltshire, Dinghams also runs a successful e-commerce version of the store online – the team puts its third-generation success down to providing choice, knowledge sharing and good customer service.
News update – March 2022
Salisbury Sisters Continue Retail Legacy
Young entrepreneurs and sisters, Becca and Nicola Hardingham are taking third-generation family-run designation cookware business Dinghams to new heights, inspiring cooks and homemakers everywhere but especially in Salisbury and the surrounding area.
Established by the sisters’ grandmother Ann Hardingham, the well-loved store was set up as a specialist cookware shop in 1984. Joined by their aunt Sarah in 2001, the duo served Salisbury’s cooking enthusiasts with Becca and Nicola helping out in the shop as teenagers.
The granddaughters, Becca (age 30) and Nicola (age 27 took over the business in 2017 and immediately faced the Salisbury poisonings with Becca featuring on SKY TV as a retail spokesperson. Following this, they’ve had the devastating effects of the pandemic to contend with. Despite these challenges, the team has pivoted how it operates and Dinghams is all the better for this.
With big plans for the store longer-term, Dinghams managing director Becca Hardingham explains: “Dinghams is already a destination for cooking enthusiasts locally but we wanted to take our product range to a wider audience and so launched our successful eCommerce website.”
With experience of working in the art, interior and creative design sectors following university, the ambitious pair is capitalising on the trend for home improvement introducing home accessories to complement the cookware side of Dinghams.
Above the shop, locals and visitors to Salisbury town centre enjoy the team’s fabulous café – it’s now a multi-faceted business.
The Dinghams team is growing too, Becca continues: “We now have an 11-strong team. Nicola and I work on range development and selection together with me managing the commercial side of the business and Nicola leading on the creative – she creates the fabulous windows and store displays and is one of our product experts on the shop floor.
“Our Aunty Sarah has also returned to the business supporting with product and stock management. Dinghams is going from strength to strength.
“Nicola and I have always loved working in the shop. Even when we went off to university to do our art and design degrees, we’d always be popping back to do our bit to help out.
“It got to the point where our grandma wanted to retire and our Aunty Sarah was keen to see more of the world and we saw an opportunity to take the shop on ourselves and we’ve not looked back.”