Ruthin prom boutique Ffansi Ffrogs crowned overall winner at the Best of North Wales Business Awards

A mother and daughter's prom dress shop on Clwyd Street in Ruthin has been named the best business in North Wales. Ffansi Ffrogs retained its Best Fashion Store title at the Best of North Wales Business Awards and went on to be named overall winner, beating businesses from every sector across the region.

The shop is run by Wendy Thompson and her daughter Robyn Unsworth, who is now full-time manager, with a team of four young part-time stylists. "Our business has only been running for three years, so to win the best fashion store in North Wales award for two years running is amazing," Wendy said. "Then to win the overall prize too was just incredible and very unexpected."

She says the awards mean so much because they are voted for by the public. "What we do is genuinely about so much more than just buying a dress, it is about looking after families throughout the process from order to right through to prom."

It has been a remarkable year. Sales in June were 233 per cent higher than the same month the year before, and the shop has now dressed more than 1,000 girls. Customers travel from as far west as Holyhead, from Rhyl, Prestatyn, Wrexham and Flint, and increasingly from Cheshire, the Wirral and Liverpool, with orders reaching Ireland, Canada and New Zealand. The shop has collected more than 100 five-star Google reviews in a season, and offers appointments in Welsh.

Many customers arrive after disappointing online orders. Wendy recalls one girl who had ordered ten dresses online and even travelled to London without finding anything suitable. "I knew straight away what shape and style she needed and that was the advice she didn't get on a website or in a huge shop in London," she said.

Inclusivity is central to the shop's approach, with a wide range of plus-size prom dresses. For Robyn, the best part is the moment a girl finds her dress. "You see their face light up, it's lovely to share in that moment," she said.

Far from resting on its laurels, the team is planning new fitting rooms and a refreshed seating area for next season.

Ffansi Ffrogs is on Clwyd Street, Ruthin. Book a one-to-one appointment through ffansiffrogs.co.uk.