A deck of cards with a difference is earning recognition far beyond the gaming table.
Ace Places Playing Cards, based in Knowl Hill and founded by entrepreneur Emma Sweet, was named runner-up in the Community category for South and Thames Valley at the Small Business Growth Awards.
The business first launched its Marlow pack two and a half years ago, following an earlier edition for Henley.
A total of 25p from every pack sold is donated to a grassroots charity in each town featured.
For the Marlow pack, the selected charity is Longridge Activity Centre.
The company was also shortlisted for Consumer Products of the Year at the UK StartUp Awards.
Ms Sweet said: "We’re absolutely thrilled to be named runner-up in the Community category for South and Thames Valley at the Small Business Growth Awards.
"What started as a playful idea to celebrate brilliant local places through beautifully illustrated playing cards has grown into something that shines a light on independent businesses, supports local charities and gives people a joyful new way to explore where they live."
Each deck of Ace Places cards is designed to showcase independent businesses, charities, and hidden gems in a particular area, transforming an everyday item into a pocket-sized community guide.
Ms Sweet said: "Community is at the heart of every Ace Places pack, so this recognition feels really special.
"Each deck is created with local businesses, artists, charities, residents and visitors in mind – and every one of those people has helped bring the idea to life."
The Small Business Growth Awards received nearly 3,000 entries and is hosted by HSBC and Federation of Small Business.
The awards recognise achievements in innovation, community, service excellence and growth.
The recent accolades build on a successful year for Ace Places.
In 2025, the company won Best Marketing, PR & Advertising StartUp in the South East at the UK StartUp Awards, its first-ever honour.
Two more followed soon after: Excellence in Innovation at the Thames Valley Chamber of Commerce Business Awards and StartUp Business Woman of the Year at the Berkshire Business Awards.
Now shortlisted again at the UK StartUp Awards, this time in the Consumer Products of the Year category, the company is being recognised for the product itself as well as its marketing concept.
Each Ace Places pack contains 54 illustrated cards, each featuring a different business, organisation, or point of interest.
To date, the company has sold more than 15,000 packs in Henley and Marlow and is expanding to new towns across the UK.
Ace Places also now offers bespoke card packs for brands, working with Marlow Bottom-based illustrator Nicola Metcalfe to bring each deck to life.
Ms Sweet said: "At the heart of Ace Places is a very simple idea: local places deserve to be celebrated."
