Mobile phone shop has high hopes for Mobile Industry Awards

A mobile phone shop in North Devon is aiming for its big break as it seeks to clinch a coveted Mobile Industry Award this September. 

The Techout, an independent sales and repair business with locations in Barnstaple and Braunton, has been shortlisted as a finalist for the third consecutive year in three prestigious categories.

This recognition places The Techout alongside industry heavyweights like Samsung, O2, and EE. 

The awards ceremony, in partnership with Tech Radar, will be held at London’s Royal Lancaster Hotel on Thursday, September 19, with comedian Jo Brand hosting the event.

The Techout is competing in the categories of Best Recycling, Best Repair Service, and Retailer of the Year. 

After narrowly missing out in the previous two years, the team is hopeful that this year’s awards will finally be their moment of triumph.

Known for its exceptional customer service, The Techout has garnered five-star ratings on both Google and Facebook from nearly 1,200 customer reviews. 

The business was founded by friends Troy Staddon and Chaz Jenkins during the pandemic, initially launching with remote repair and sales services in response to high demand due to Covid restrictions.

Despite a delayed opening of its flagship store on Queen Street in Barnstaple due to lockdowns, the store quickly gained popularity for its wide range of tech services, including mobile phones, tablets, laptops, smartwatches, games consoles, and accessories. 

The recent opening of a second store in Braunton last year has expanded their reach to the north coast of the district, further establishing The Techout as a key player in the local tech landscape.

Co-founder Chaz Jenkins said the team was once again delighted to have been shortlisted for the Mobile Industry Awards.

Chaz said: “For the third year in a row we have been named as finalists in one of – if not the – top industry awards in the UK and seen as the industry gold standard.

“That is a testament to the hard work and commitment of everyone at The Techout for continuing to live and breathe our business model of providing the best possible customer service and quality of sales and repairs.

“It does go without saying we had begun to feel a little like a bridesmaid and never the bride, so let’s hope our third time down the awards aisle proves to be the charm.”

Troy Staddon added: “Whatever happens, this is still a huge achievement for a small independent business and retailer in North Devon, putting us up there with the very best in the country.

“Winning just one of these awards would be a massive thank you to all our brilliant staff, but also a tribute to all our amazing customer’s, old and new, because without you we couldn’t do it at all.”