Vrishkar Blinds Limited, an independent online retailer serving households and businesses across the United Kingdom, has been named Bespoke Window Treatment Retailer of the Year 2026 at the SME News UK Enterprise Awards.
The recognition marks a milestone for a business founded in the Dartford area with the aim of making made-to-measure blinds and curtains simpler to shop for online. For its founder, Venkateswara Rao Suragani, the achievement is also a reminder of the work involved in turning an idea into a functioning retail business.
A technology background, a retail ambition
Before establishing Vrishkar Blinds, Suragani built a career spanning more than 14 years in software engineering, technology leadership and digital transformation. He brought that experience to a very different market: home furnishings.
The idea behind Vrishkar Blinds was to combine the convenience of e-commerce with the choice and personalisation customers expect when buying window coverings. Rather than choosing a standard size from a shelf, shoppers can explore styles, request free samples and order products made to their own measurements.
The business offers roller, Roman, faux wood, real wood, vertical, blackout, day and night and motorised blinds, alongside made-to-measure curtains. Its online approach is designed to help customers weigh practical needs such as privacy, light control and room style before placing an order.
Building trust in a competitive market
For a young independent retailer, attracting attention is only part of the challenge. A made-to-measure product is a considered purchase: customers need clear product information, confidence about measurements and reassurance that support will be available if they have questions.
Vrishkar Blinds has focused on free samples, detailed product choices, free UK delivery and a five-year guarantee. It also works with established suppliers to provide products to customers nationwide.
The company's priorities have been shaped by the practical realities of building a new brand without the marketing budgets of much larger retailers. Improving the website, building relationships with suppliers and making customer communications more useful have all been central to that work.
"Building a business from the ground up is challenging, especially when customers have many established retailers to choose from," said Suragani. "For me, this award is encouragement to keep earning trust through quality products, clear information and a better experience for every customer. I hope it also encourages other independent entrepreneurs in Kent."
Recognition beyond Dartford
Although Vrishkar Blinds serves customers across the UK, its roots are in the Dartford area, near the meeting point of North Kent and South East London.
The national award provides an opportunity to highlight the ambitions of smaller businesses based in Kent that operate well beyond their immediate local market.
The SME News UK Enterprise Awards recognised Vrishkar Blinds as Bespoke Window Treatment Retailer of the Year 2026. The award is independently listed on SME News' official winners website.
For the founder, the value of the recognition goes beyond the award itself. It creates a reason for customers, potential collaborators and other entrepreneurs to discover the business and learn about the people behind it.
Technology and the next chapter
Suragani intends to keep developing the company's digital platform and customer experience, including improvements to how supplier information and order updates are managed. These are areas where his engineering background can help support a small business as it grows.
The company is also exploring ways to build awareness through local business relationships, home-interiors expertise and independent media coverage, while keeping its focus on serving customers across Britain.
Vrishkar Blinds has additionally been nominated in four categories at the Best British Business Awards 2026–2027: Business of the Year, Fast-Growing Firm of the Year, New Business of the Year and Small Business of the Year. Those nominations are separate from its confirmed SME News win.
"National recognition is something to celebrate, but our long-term ambition is to build a brand customers return to and recommend," Suragani added. "We want to keep improving the experience, one order at a time."
Website: https://www.vrishkarblinds.co.uk
Official award confirmation: https://smenews.digital/winners/vrishkar-blinds-limited/
Nominated Award confirmation: https://www.bestbritishbusinessawards.com/vote/n/513
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