WHERE Bluebirds Fly is a unique online gift website created to fill a gap in the market.

The business, founded and run from Copmanthorpe by Laura Clarke, is entering the New Business of the Year category.

Ms Clarke said: “Online shopping is growing at such a rapid speed but we have found that time and time again people and looking for a way to make their gifts more personal,

“Our aim, therefore, was to be able to create a convenient way to shop from home that still has all the same sentiment of browsing the high street and selecting some lovely thoughtful gifts.

“As peoples lives get busier it really can become very tricky to find the time to pop out to select a gift, wrap it and give it in person, especially if whom you are buying it for lives across the country or even on the other side of the world.

“So for that reason Where Bluebirds Fly was created to make it easy to create and send a beautiful gift parcel to your favourite people.

“We decided to launch a website with a create your own gift parcel service as we loved the idea of sending a personalised care package or gift hamper in the post but found that after much research that nowhere offered the flexibility to create your own bespoke gift package supporting independent UK businesses.”

Last year Ms Clarke took her idea to the Princes Trust which helped hers to develop the idea and formulate a business plan and after pitching it to their panel they agreed to support in helping to make our concept a reality, providing initial financial backing to get the business off the ground and ongoing mentoring support.

Where Bluebirds Fly later received recognition from entrepreneurs, Theo Paphitis and Jacqueline Gold.

Ms Clarke said: “The online gift market is still very strong in comparison to the high street and is a quick and convenient way to shop for may however it can often lack the personal touch which is what we aim to achieve as well as an interesting and varied selection of gifts that will appeal to a whole range of recipients.

“Our gift selection includes UK independent businesses, small-scale designer makers and Fairtrade suppliers overseas, so not only have they been made and designed with a lot of love and care but each purchase is also helping to make a difference to small independent businesses.

There is a huge scope for growth both in the gift sector and through having an eCommerce store.”