Award Categories


Retailer of the Year

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This award will recognise any retailer, large or small, independent or national, that is making a big noise in the retail world! Branches of national companies should enter as a store. The judges will be looking for evidence of what sets a retailer apart from its competition, either in terms of its achievements, best practice, or success. Examples of evidence to support the application can include sales performance, internal awards, team development, achievement of key performance indicators and customer feedback.

Customer Service Award

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This award will reward a company, or member of staff or team within an organisation, that goes above and beyond the call of duty for their customers. The judges will be looking for clear evidence of customer service excellence. This may include customer reviews, achievement of key performance indicators, a clear, well-implemented customer care policy, awards or recognition by other organisations, or testimonials from colleagues.

Manager of the Year

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This award will recognise an imaginative and creative manager whose individual contribution to the success of a business includes valuing and investing in their employees. The judges will look for evidence of what the manager has done that is outstanding for the benefit and wellbeing of their team. Evidence to support the nomination can include team development, coaching and mentoring, achievement of key performance indicators, sales performance, and how the individual makes the company a wonderful place to work. Nominations are welcome from any member of a team /company.

Restaurant of the Year

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This award will recognise the business that puts their restaurant in the forefront of their industry for its outstanding service, cuisine and congenial surroundings. The judges will be looking for evidence of excellence in service and presentation, backed by testimonials (judges will accept evidence from review sites such as TripAdvisor), evidence of how the business caters for people with different/special dietary requirements, and any unique or outstanding elements of the business.

Health & Fitness Centre of the Year

This award will recognise the Health or Fitness Centre that best demonstrates great results for its members. Judges will give consideration to positive and motivational ambience provided by knowledgeable staff, comprehensive programme of events, competitions, opportunities to socialise with like-minded members, plus well maintained equipment and proven results.

Hair/Beauty Salon of the Year

This award will recognise any business delivering excellence in the hairdressing and beauty sector. The judges will be looking for evidence of excellence in service and presentation, backed by testimonials from customers and the industry in general, evidence of pioneering new trends and practices, catering for customer needs across a broad spectrum and excellence in niche areas.

Hotel/B&B of the Year

This award will recognise the best local vacation destination. Judges will consider everything from fluffy towels and pristine bathrooms to wifi provision and morning papers. Other criteria will include: great location providing clean, sumptuous rooms with enviable views and in-room facilities. Comfortable dining room with friendly staff serving good quality breakfast. Great customer service and local knowledge.

Tourism and Visitor Attraction of the Year

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This award will recognise any business that puts the area on the map as a wonderful place to live and visit. The judges will be looking for evidence of the contribution of the venue in attracting visitors to the area, as well as catering for local people, and its excellence within the leisure industry. Examples of evidence to support the application can include footfall information, geographic catchment of customer base, visitor number growth, awards won and customer feedback.

Creative Innovation Award

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 This award will celebrate originality and creativity in a variety of different forms. Could include, but is not limited to, creative marketing, advertising, in-store branding or digital marketing activity, Or using creativity to implement new sales techniques or business practices, processes or products, which enhance the success of the business.

Business Support Services Award

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This award will recognise a commercial enterprise that provides work performed in an expert manner by an individual or team for the benefit of its customers or clients. This includes products or services, such as accounting, banking, consultancy, cleaning, landscaping, insurance, treatment, and transportation services.

Shop Front of the Year

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This award will celebrate innovation, design, creativity and robust branding, as well as appropriate illumination and striking visual impact of an effective shop front, which also enjoys synergy with the surroundings and environs. We are looking for shop-fronts that have the wow factor, that engage the customer’s attention and tease them with what treasures lay waiting inside.

Care Sector Award

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This award will recognise any individual, business or team who provide that little extra to make the lives of the patients in their care a little bit more special. Nominations can be received from either the voluntary or the paid-for healthcare sector in care homes, hospitals or private homes.