By Tamsin Eames
The glitzy Trafford Centre Awards returned last week after a year’s break to recognise the jewels of North West retail.
The lavish 2010 ceremony – which was cancelled last year as a result of the recession – celebrated customers’ favourite shops, restaurants and entertainment venues within the scheme.
Key 103 breakfast presenters, Mike Toolan and Chelsea Norris, hosted the glamorous evening where more than 400 guests enjoyed a gala dinner and entertainment at Manchester’s Hilton Hotel.
Traffic-reporter Chelsea – who co-hosted the 2008 Trafford Centre Awards – said: “After a year off, it’s great to be back here for the awards. The atmosphere has been fab and an overall fantastic night.”
The radio duo awarded prizes to the winners of 24 catagories, who were selected by thousands of votes cast by Trafford Centre customers in recent months.
Selfridges led the way, receiving four honours in total including Health and Beauty Store of the Year, Footwear & Accessories Store of the Year, and the prestigious Richard Bonner Award for Outstanding Contribution to The Trafford Centre & Overall Favourite Venue.
They also scooped the new In-store Concession of the Year Award for their MAC concession.
Selfridges General Manager, Jeff Johnson, was delighted with the awards.
He said: “Hats off to our events and partnership teams for bringing excellence, to ensure that Selfridges is the number one destination for shoppers at the Trafford Centre.
“We are very proud of our brand partnerships, and look forward to building on these to provide more exclusive offerings for our customers.”
The Legoland Discovery Centre was awarded two titles, making an impressive debut as Newcomer of the Year in the Leisure category, and also walking away with the Entertainment Attraction of the Year award.
The Menswear Store of the Year was Next, whilst the Ladieswear Store of the Year accolade went to Topshop.
Meanwhile, Hollister took the award for Store Interior of the Year and John Lewis was awarded Homeware Store of the Year.
Highlights of the ceremony included GAP’s Nicky Matthews taking the Outstanding Customer Service Award for Retail.
Nicky organised a Trafford Centre Charity Store in an empty unit and successfully persuaded other retailers to donate their unwanted stock. The project raised a total of over £23,000 for charity in just three days.
Presenting the award, radio DJ Mike, said: “Nicky stood out for this award as the project is a fantastic idea. Nicky has done an amazing job to work with other retailers, and to raise so much money for charity is a remarkable achievement.”
X-Factor’s Chico and Britain’s Got Talent breakdancer, Tobias Mead, entertained guests with exciting performances before bringing the night to a close in the early hours.
Innovative dancer, Tobias, said: “The performance felt amazing as always. I love to perform and I’m always so happy to dance at any opportunity I get.”
Pleased with the successful night, Director of Operations Gordon McKinnon, said that this was a very special event for the Trafford Centre, as it gave them a chance to reward the outlets and people who make them such a special destination for their millions of customers each year.
He said: “We are so proud of all our staff and outlets here, all of them deserving of recognition, and an event such as this is an opportunity to honour all those individuals who continue to work so hard to make the Trafford Centre an unrivalled success.”
Full list of event categories and winners: –
Health and Beauty Store of the Year
Selfridges
Sports and Leisure Store of the Year
JJB Sports
Jewellery Store of the Year
Swarovski
Specialist Store of the Year
Disney Store
In-Store Concession of the Year
MAC, Selfridges
Store Windows of the Year
River Island
Store Interior of the Year
Hollister
Entertainment Attraction of the Year
Legoland Discovery Centre
Environmental Achievement of the Year
The Body Shop
Fast Food/Snack Outlet of the Year
Barburrito
Café/Coffee Shop of the Year
Starbucks/Peel Avenue
Restaurant/Bar of the Year
T.G.I. Friday’s
Outstanding Customer Service – Retail
Nicky Matthews, GAP
Outstanding Customer Service – Catering
Kieran Lo, Yang Sing Xpression
Store Manager of the Year
Orladh Seddon, Karen Millen
Restaurant Manager of the Year
Mianna Dodd, McDonald’s
Newcomer of the Year – Leisure
Legoland Discovery Centre
Newcomer of the Year – Retail
Mamas & Papas
Newcomer of the Year – Restaurant
Zizzi
Footwear and Accessories Store of the Year
Selfridges
Homeware Store of the Year
John Lewis
Meanswear Store of the Year
Next
Ladieswear Store of the Year
Topshop
The Richard Bonner Award for Outstanding Contribution to The Trafford Centre & Overall Favourite Venue
Selfridges
