City Centre Businesses Collect Coveted Retail Accolades

The winners of the Dundee City Centre Retail Awards 2008 were revealed on the 10th June in a ceremony at the city's Apex City Quay Hotel & Spa.

The event, this year hosted by TV presenter Angus Purden, was the eagerly anticipated climax to months of nominations from city centre businesses followed by shortlisting by a panel of independent judges. Public voting by City of Discovery shoppers and Evening Telegraph readers concluded the judging and accounted for 50% of the final outcome - truly making them the people's awards.

Event organisers were delighted with public response during the voting period. Thousands of votes were cast via three methods - telephone voting, freepost voting postcards and online.

City Centre manager Lorna McKenzie said: "It's great to see so many shoppers taking the time to vote for their favourite retailer, eating place or employee - it really means a lot to the businesses nominated that the winning votes are cast by the very people who have experienced the excellence they demonstrate. The volume of votes really demonstrates the value these awards have within the community and even further afield. This year we received votes from all over the globe - from as far as Canada and Spain to all over the UK, with nominations received from Exeter, Leeds, Cardiff and Lytham St Anne's."

The first award of the evening was Newcomer of the Year sponsored by locate-dundee. This year the title was scooped by The Cheesery, who were thrilled to be presented with their award by Councillor Mohammed Asif. The cheesemongers, which sell an impressive selection of tastebud-tingling cheeses walked away with the award, which celebrates new businesses that have added to the diversity of retail in Dundee city centre.

Next to be presented was the award for Independent Retailer of the Year, which was sponsored by Triage Central Ltd, the first year that they have been involved with the awards. Trading since the summer of '76, Groucho's record store picked up this award, which recognises individuality and innovation within the city's independent retailers.

The Dundee Rep Theatre Café won the Eating Place of the Year in a Fine Dining/Restaurant Environment Award, sponsored by Michelin. With an emphasis on providing fresh, tasty food cooked to order, the popular and distinctive Dundee Rep Theatre Café was delighted to have been given this highly coveted accolade. The Tasting Rooms and The Playwright narrowly missed out as finalists in this category.

The fourth award of the evening was the Eating Place of the Year in a Café/Public House Environment, sponsored this year by Dundee College Targeting Tourism. The Parlour Café was announced as the winner of this sought-after commendation, fighting off the stiff competition from the numerous cafes, bistros and public houses which offer unique dining experiences across the City of Discovery.

Sandra Christie of Lorraine Law was crowned Employee of the Year and this award was sponsored by the Hilton Dundee. Cathy Lynham of Rugby Plus... and Claire Shackell of Freespirit were just pipped at the post by Sandra. There were lots of nominations for this award, reflecting the appreciation employers have for the valuable work carried out by their staff on a daily basis.

The Community Award looks to give recognition to businesses and their staff who give up their personal time to support a good cause. Sponsored by the Evening Telegraph, the Community Award 2008 was presented to Freedom Hair for their outstanding efforts in the local community. In the past year or so, the company has organised or taken part in eight different charitable events, with the total being raised running to more than £20,000.The business sees the events as an opportunity to give something back to the city.

The penultimate award of the evening was the National Chain of the Year sponsored by the Wellgate Shopping Centre. Borders Books walked away with this accolade for the second time.   Winning this award 2 years running reflects the continued commitment to customer satisfaction displayed by the team at Borders Books, with support for their weekly reading and knitting groups steadily growing.

Consumers' Retailer of the Year was the final award to be presented on the night. This award, sponsored by Overgate, was the only award of the ceremony to be decided on the public vote alone, with no input from the judges' panel. This year's winner was revealed as Peacocks at the Wellgate Shopping Centre, beating a whole host of competitors to win this much-coveted accolade - truly the shopper's award.

City Centre Action Group Chair Peter Leyland remarked: "Now in their third year, the success of the awards is continuing to grow. All businesses who put themselves forward for an award demonstrate an outstanding level of innovation.

"Dundee city centre has so many proactive and aspiring businesses with great ambition and customer focus - all great assets who act as great ambassadors on a national level.

"On behalf of Dundee City Centre Action Group I wish to thank all sponsors for their support and all nominees for taking the time and the insight to take advantage of this opportunity to be proud of their businesses, employees and achievements in the retail and leisure sector."

Angus Purden was delighted to be invited this year to present the Dundee City Centre Retail Awards for the first time. He said: "Dundee is such an interesting and innovative city with true vision and aspiration. Every time I visit I find an element of change - there is always a great sense of spirit and pride"

Commenting on the entire process, City Centre Manager Lorna McKenzie expressed: "The Dundee City Centre Retail Awards 2008 have again reflected the substantial developments being made in the city centre and shown Dundee's retailing and business provision as a vibrant and innovative economic hub.

"The number of entries was at its highest this year, illustrating the prosperity and pride in all aspects of retailing and businesses across Dundee.

"I think we have achieved our aim - celebrating the success and excellence that exists here."