Published 7 October 2011
Store stars sparkle at Awards night
A GLITTERING awards ceremony has recognised the jewels in the crown of North-West retail, as shops, restaurants and leisure venues were lauded at the 5th annual Trafford Centre Awards.
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More than forty thousand votes cascaded into The Trafford Centre offices in recent months, as customers proved eager to pay tribute to their favourite stores, cafes and entertainment venues.
And more than 400 guests enjoyed dinner and dancing as the winners of 21 categories took to the stage to collect their prizes.
Opening the lavish ceremony at The Hilton Deansgate Manchester, Director of Operations for CSC Trafford Gordon McKinnon said: “With 36 new stores and restaurants joining The Trafford Centre in the past 18 months, plus the momentous merger with Capital Shopping Centres in the UK’s biggest-ever property deal, this has been an extraordinary time.”
Selfridges romped home in two categories, winning Large Retailer of the Year, plus Store Manager of the Year – which went to Jeff Johnson, a hugely popular choice with the audience.
Top restaurant
The Menswear Store category was topped by Next, while the Ladieswear Store gong went to Debenhams. Meanwhile, Pandora won the award for Jewellery Store of the Year, and Tampopo snatched top Restaurant from a field of contenders which included TGI Friday’s, La Tasca, and Nando’s.
Highlights of the ceremony included two tear-jerking awards for Retail Employee of 2011, which went to Amy Sheehan-Daly of LEGOLAND Discovery Centre, and Natalie Clyne from Bodyshop – both of whom were nominated by their managers. Presenting the award, celebrity host Mike Toolan of Key 103 said: “These amazing staff really go the extra mile – with focus, enthusiasm and a great attitude.”
Newcomers
The Catering Newcomer prize went to Chaobaby, the new Thai restaurant with a live jellyfish tank in the window. Meanwhile, Superdry walked away with the Retail Newcomer award, after launching to great acclaim this year.
The 22-screen ODEON Cinema won Entertainment Attraction of the Year, as figures showed that the multiplex had brought more than 12 million visitors to the Centre, and ranked as the busiest venue of its kind in the UK.
Speaking after the awards, Gordon McKinnon said: 'Once again we've enjoyed a fantastic evening, during which we’ve been able to recognise and celebrate the stores, restaurants, leisure attractions and very importantly the people who make The Trafford Centre the extraordinary success that it is.
'I believe we offer a shopping experience like no other, with the very best staff in the world. It’s really important that we recognise the people who are our best asset, and who make The Trafford Centre the extraordinary success it is.
'The record-breaking number of votes cast for these awards shows how important The Trafford Centre is to our customers. Competition for these prizes is strong - and the winners are clearly delighted at their success this evening.”
For more information or images, or for interview opportunities, please call Justin at the Press Office, on 0161 749 1627.
Full list of Trafford Centre Awards 2011 Winners
LADIESWEAR STORE OF THE YEAR
WINNER – DEBENHAMS
MENSWEAR STORE OF THE YEAR
WINNER – NEXT
HEALTH & BEAUTY STORE OF THE YEAR
WINNER – BOOTS
JEWELLERY STORE OF THE YEAR
WINNER – PANDORA
FOOTWEAR & ACCESSORIES STORE OF THE YEAR
WINNER – SCHUH
HIGHLY COMMENDED – KURT GEIGER
ENTERTAINMENT ATTRACTION OF THE YEAR
WINNER – ODEON
HIGHLY COMMENDED – AERIAL EXTREME
SPECIALIST STORE OF THE YEAR
WINNER – MAMAS & PAPAS
HOMEWARE STORE OF THE YEAR
WINNER – JOHN LEWIS
HIGHLY COMMENDED – NEXT HOME
LARGE STORE OF THE YEAR
WINNER – SELFRIDGES
FAST FOOD / SNACK OUTLET OF THE YEAR
WINNER – YANG SING XPRESSION
CAFÉ / COFFEE SHOP OF THE YEAR
WINNER – STARBUCKS – THE ORIENT
RESTAURANT / BAR OF THE YEAR
WINNER – TAMPOPO
STORE DEVELOPMENT OF THE YEAR
WINNER – H&M
NEWCOMER OF THE YEAR
WINNER: RETAIL – SUPERDRY
WINNER: CATERING – CHAO BABY
HIGHLY COMMENDED – CIRCLE 360
STORE MANAGER OF THE YEAR
WINNER – JEFF JOHNSON, SELFRIDGES
HIGHLY COMMENDED – LUCY ALLEN, TOPSHOP/TOPMAN
NEIL CRITTENDEN, LEGOLAND DISCOVERY CENTRE
RESTAURANT MANAGER OF THE YEAR
WINNER – MARIO SAMPAIO , EST EST EST
ENVIRONMENTAL ACHIEVEMENT OF THE YEAR
WINNER – M&S
OUTSTANDING CUSTOMER SERVICE - RETAIL
WINNER – NATALIE CLYNE, THE BODYSHOP
OUTSTANDING CUSTOMER SERVICE – RETAIL
WINNER – AMY SHEEHAN-DALY, LEGOLAND DISCOVERY CENTRE
THE RICHARD BONNER AWARD FOR OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTION TO THE TRAFFORD CENTRE AND OVERALL FAVOURITE VENUE
WINNER – ARCADIA GROUP