AN online retailer scored ‘the double’ with two prestigious accolades at the Sussex Business Awards 2017.

Rinkit won Sussex Company of the Year and commercial director Richard Goss was named Entrepreneur of the Year for Richard Goss.

The company was also shortlisted for International Business of the Year at the ceremony held at The Grand Brighton

Rinkit, based in Littlehampton, is an online retailer selling homeware and garden products across the UK, Europe and most recently in Australia, where it launched in November 2017.

Established in 2008, the business is headed up by university friends Rob Lowe, Elliott Millais and Richard Goss.

Rinkit has grown over the past nine years from a bedroom business selling cocktail shakers on Ebay to being the international success it is today with a turnover in excess of £10 million.

Richard Goss said: “We are absolutely ecstatic. These awards are fantastic recognition for our hard work and total commitment.

“It’s taken a huge amount of determination and patience to grow Rinkit to be a leading e-tailer in its market, offering fantastic quality products at incredibly competitive prices.

“We are so proud that our business has received this recognition, not just by our customers, but also by our peers and experts in their field.”

Sussex Business Awards Judge George Clayson from Mazars said: ‘Rinkit is a wonderful success story and is a great example of the dynamism and innovation that is so prevalent in business across Sussex.

“Based in Littlehampton, two young internet entrepreneurs started out selling glasses from their front room and have now created a £10m turnover business in less than ten years.

“They impressed the judges with their amazing attention to customer service, creative flair for branding and product buying, and their dynamic vision for the future – in every department Rinkit is simply outstanding!’

Rinkit’s owners regularly travel the globe to find products that are unique and can’t be found anywhere else.

The online retailer provides contemporary glassware, cultural crockery, cooking essentials, affordable furniture, good value garden accessories and stylish toiletries.

Thursday night’s awards were a resounding success.

Organiser Caraline Brown from Midnight Communications said this would be her last year at the helm.

Next year will be the 30th anniversary of the awards and Platinum Business Magazine will take over its running.

Around 500 people packed into The Grand for the celebration evening.

See pages 22 and 23 for more on the big night, including a full list of all the winners.