The winners of the Preston Business Improvement District (BID) ‘Smiles Better’ Awards were handed out at a sell-out ceremony at Preston’s Guild Hall on March 20th.
The competition, sponsored by Abbey Telecom, saw more than 200 nominations from businesses and individuals across the city centre, which were whittled down to 111 finalists.
Fourteen accolades were up for grabs, the winners of which were chosen through a public vote.
Mark Whittle from Preston BID said: “These awards are always hotly contested with healthy competition between nominees to secure the public vote – the city centre is awash with great people working in great businesses and its good to recognise and reward them; they are the reason people visit Preston.”
In addition to the fourteen award categories, the BID Special Recognition honour was awarded to Cllr. Peter Rankin, Leader of Preston City Council, by Babs Murphy Chief Executive of the NWL Chamber of Commerce – Cllr. Peter Kelly accepted the award on behalf of the leader.
Guild Hall saviour Simon Rigby MBE was announced as the ‘City Star’, winning the category in which the Fishergate Bollard was a popular finalist…
The awards, presented by BBC Radio Lancashire’s John Gillmore and radio favourite Danny Bee saw TV favourite Sherrie Hewson make a surprise guest appearance to hand out one of the awards and meet the winners.
Sherrie, who’s currently starring in TV favourite ‘Benidorm’, said: “It was great to be in Preston and share in the success of the winners and finalists – it was a fabulous night.”
Tony Raynor, Managing Director of Abbey Telecom said: “We were delighted to sponsor the ‘Smiles Better’ Awards for 2018, the ceremony showed how passionate and positive city centre businesses are. There was a great air of excitement in the room and the winners, and finalists, are to be applauded.”
A list of the winners is below:
RETAIL MANAGER OF THE YEAR
Presented by: Leigh Sweetman – Chair of Preston At Night
Winner: SUE DODWELL – GREGGS
INDEPENDENT BUSINESS OF THE YEAR
Presented by: Andy Coverdale – Chair City Centre Business Crime Reduction Partnership
WINNER: TOWN HOUSE COFFEE AND BREW BAR
BAR OF THE YEAR
Presented by: Julie Stewart – City Centre Police Licensing Officer
WINNER: YATES
MULTIPLE RETAILER OF THE YEAR
Presented by: Samuel Whitear – Director, Business Lancashire
WINNER: ANN SUMMERS
BEST CUSTOMER SERVICE IN A LEISURE BUSINESS
Presented by: Carley Stewart
WINNER: ALICE CORKE COSTA (St George’s)
LEISURE MANAGER OF THE YEAR
Presented by: Cllr. Peter Kelly – Cabinet Member for Leisure & Culture, Preston City Council
WINNER: DAVE BROWN – SWITCH
RESTAURANT OF THE YEAR
Presented by: Nishma Hindocha – BBC Radio Lancashire
WINNER: TURTLE BAY
PERSONALITY OF THE YEAR
Presented by: Andy Neale – Preston At Night Co-Ordinator
WINNER: BRIAN HUDSON – YATES
PUB OF THE YEAR
Presented by: Iain Lynn – Lancashire Post
WINNER: TWELVE TELLERS
NIGHTCLUB OF THE YEAR
Presented by: Rob Charles, from Car Share
WINNER: THE WAREHOUSE
BEST CUSTOMER SERVICE IN A RETAIL BUSINESS
Presented by: Tony Raynor – MD, Abbey Telecom, ‘Smiles Better’ Awards Sponsors
WINNER: SAM EAVES – ANN SUMMERS
OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT IN RETAIL
Presented by: Stephanie Slater MBE – Paralympic Gold Medallist
WINNER: ANDREW STRINGER – ST GEORGE’S SHOPPING CENTRE
OUTSTANDING ACHIEVMENT IN IN LEISURE
Presented by: The Mayor of Preston, Cllr. Brian Rollo
WINNER: LISA BILLINGTON – THE WAREHOUSE
CITY STAR
Presented by: TV’s Sherrie Hewson
WINNER: SIMON RIGBY MBE
SPECIAL RECOGNITION AWARD – PRESENTED TO CLLR. PETER RANKIN
