Member Article

Winners of Chesterfield Retail Awards 2015 revealed

One of Chesterfield’s oldest businesses, Ibbotson’s Fresh Quality Produce, has been crowned Retailer of the Year at the 2015 Retail Awards, organised by Destination Chesterfield in association with Learning Unlimited.

Established in 1945 Ibbotson’s is, this year, celebrating its 70th year of trading. As well as being a regular sight on the market it has recently diversified into online ordering which has widened its customer base by bringing Chesterfield’s market to those who are unable to come into town or are at work during opening hours.

As well as Retailer of the Year, Ibbotson’s also scooped the title of Market Trader of the Year at the annual awards. Owner Nick Ibbotson said: ““I can’t believe that we have won two awards and it is particularly special to get overall Retailer of the Year Award. It’s amazing to have beaten all the big stores and other independent retailers. We’re just a little fruit and veg stall that’s been in the centre of Chesterfield for more than 70 years. It’s been a long time coming.”

Ibbotsons was one of 13 winners of a total of 16 awards recognising the very best independent shops, high street stores and market traders in the town. Other multiple award winners include Adorn Jewellers and Debenhams who each triumphed in two categories.

This year’s awards received more than 600 nominations for businesses from the public resulting in 32 finalists, of which 20 were first time finalists. Six businesses returned to defend their crowns from last year’s event including Pelican Cycles, which successfully retained its titles of Leisure Re-tailer of the Year and Independent Retailer of the Year

Held at the Winding Wheel, the sell-out ceremony was hosted by popular Peak FM breakfast show duo Becky Measures and James Summers.

The winners were selected from 36 finalists, competing for the title of the very best in their respec-tive categories.

Hair and Beauty Business of the Year

• The Therapy Lounge

“We were really surprised to win. We have been in business for 13 years, so it’s great to get recognised for the service that we provide. We offer a diverse range of beauty treatments from holistic therapies to semi-permanent makeup, men’s treatments to pamper packages. It’s great to be nominated by our clients. We are so happy and grateful to our customers that voted for us and want to say a huge thank you.” Carly Smith, owner, The Therapy Lounge

Fashion and Footwear Retailer of the Year – Sponsored by In the Works PR

• Blanc

“The team at Blanc are over the moon that we have won Fashion and Footwear Retailer of the Year. We have been here for four years now and the shop is going from strength to strength and we really appreciate the recognition. We love to make everyone’s shopping experience unique and regularly receive thank you cards and flowers from happy customers thanking the team for making their shopping experience a pleasure. We want to say a huge thank you to everyone that voted, it really means the world to us.” Anne-Marie White, director, Blanc

Jewellery and Accessories Retailer of the Year – Sponsored by the Pavements Shopping Centre

• Adorn Jewellers

“We are absolutely over the moon to win two Retail Awards. It really means the world that our customers voted for and nominated us. It’s our fifth year in business this year and this is just the icing on the cake.” Laura-Jo Owens, owner, Adorn Jewellers

Home and Gifts Retailer of the Year

• Libbys

“This award means a lot for the business. It will hopefully put us on the map and more people visit us to discover what a wonderful team we have here. Libby’s wouldn’t be where it is today if it wasn’t for my special team; I feel very honoured to work with such an amazing group of women. My philosophy is simple: shopping should be a pleasurable and enjoyable experience. I travel extensively throughout the UK and Europe to source beautiful things, making sure that I meet the suppliers and understand their business ethics and practices. We’re different and our collection isn’t to be found everywhere. My team and I care passionately about our customers and I always buy with them in mind.” Libby Morris, Owner, Libbys

Children’s Clothes, Toys & Accessories Retailer of the Year

• Debenhams

“As we are relatively new to the town, it is fantastic to have won the award for not only Children’s Clothes, Toys and Accessories of the Year but also National / Multiple Retailer of the year. This is the first Chesterfield Retail Awards we have been involved in and by winning, it feels like we have fully been welcomed and accepted into the town and that is a great feeling.

“We are really proud to be able to take these accolades back to our 130 strong team. They will all be so pleased. It is really nice to be able to give them the recognition they deserve as they all work so hard.” Lisa Lowe, Store Manager, Debenhams Chesterfield

Food and Drink Retailer of the Year – Sponsored by BHP Accountants

• R. P. Davidson Cheese Factor

“I am ecstatic that we won. Being named as the best Food and Drink Retailer of the Year is fantastic recognition for the team at the Cheese Factor. It is a great acknowledgement for the hard work that all the staff put in daily and they really deserve it. We are truly honoured and, hopefully, now if people hadn’t heard of us before they will come down and see what we have to offer!” Simon Davidson, Owner, R.P Davidson Cheese Factor

Phones and Technology Retailer of the Year – Sponsored by Mitchells Accountants and Business Advisers

• Chips Computers

“We were totally shocked to win. We owe this award to our customers. We’ve been nominated and won national awards this year, but this award is the most important to us, because it’s voted by our local, loyal customer base. This award means a lot for our business, it shows we are doing something right and we will continue to improve for next year.

“We offer a unique service at Chips Computers that allows you to build your own custom laptop or computer. We like to get creative and offer something alternative. Recently we built a computer into a Star Wars Millennium Falcon model and created an R2-D2 projector.” Phil Griffiths, owner, Chips Computers

Leisure Retailer of the Year (Sports, Hobbies, Crafts or Outdoor) – Sponsored by Peak FM

• Pelican Cycles

“It feels very, very pleasing to win two more Retail Awards this year. It’s the second consecutive year we’ve had success and I’m glad that shows consistency across the business, professionalism as well as the fact we have the personal touch with our customers. Many of them have become friends and I’m very proud of that.” Neil Armitage, owner, Pelican Cycles

Market Trader of the Year – Sponsored by Chesterfield Borough Council

• Ibbotson’s Fresh Quality Produce

Independent Retailer of the Year – Sponsored by Jumble Design

• Pelican Cycles

National/Multiple Retailer of the Year – Sponsored by Vicar Lane

• Debenhams

Excellence in Customer Service – Sponsored by Learning Unlimited

• Adorn Jewellers

Market Hall Business of the Year – Sponsored by Kier

• A Little Bazaar

“It is an absolute honour and actually mind-blowing to win this award especially as we have only been open for just three months! I thought it was incredible to have been recognised as a finalist, let alone to win. “There is some massive talent in Chesterfield and these awards are perfect to be able to showcase and celebrate the talent of our local crafts people within the community.

“Everything is still to come for A Little Bazaar as we continue to grow and increase our online mar-ket. Hopefully this will enable us to move to bigger premises and even branch out into other areas, like vintage dresses and accessories.” Brodie Spitfire-Jagger, Owner, A Little Bazaar

Best New Store (Opened 2014/2015) – Sponsored by Banner Jones Solicitors

• Meadowfresh

“It is an absolutely brilliant honour to have won the award for Best New Store. We’ve been based in Chesterfield for 22 years and have been looking for bigger premises for many years. Prior to open-ing the new shop last year we travelled literally hundreds of miles up and down the country, seeking ideas and inspiration for when the right property became available. It was never an option to move out of Chesterfield as we have so many loyal customers. “We are very proud of our new store and people often comment and believe that we are a national company and not the local family-run business that we are.

“Even though we have our fantastic new store, it really is the team that makes it. We have 26 em-ployees across our three shops, the others based at Dobbies in Barlborough and Arrow Farm in Worksop, and our bakery in Clay Cross, all of whom have worked so very hard towards this achievement. Our team is fantastic and always give 110%. This award will mean the absolute world to them. Our customers always comment about our great customer service and how friendly the team are, but to have this recognition as well, is the icing on the cake.” Tyrone Brooks, Owner, Meadowfresh

Vicar Lane Retailer of the Year

• New Look

“We were so pleased to win the award. It’s recognition of the hard work all the team at New Look Chesterfield has put in over the last 12 months. We’ve really focussed on improving customer ser-vice and store standards and this award shows that this has paid off. The team are all thrilled and very excited. It’s onwards and upwards for the store.” Emma Desmond, Deputy Store Manager, New Look

Retailer of the Year - sponsored by East Midlands Chamber

• Ibbotson’s Fresh Quality Produce

Vice Chair of Destination Chesterfield and Cabinet Member for the Town Centre and Visitor Economy Amanda Serjeant, said: “Across Chesterfield we are privileged to have a great range of independent stores in the Shambles and the Yards in the Town Centre, along Chatsworth Road and Whittington Moor as well as our market and popular high street stores. It is this mix of retailers that makes our town so popular and keeps shoppers, both locally and further afield, coming back for more.

“Chesterfield is envied nationally for its retail success. While other town and city centres are strug-gling, ours is thriving and it’s no wonder seeing the passion, innovation and customer service so many of the town’s retailers are delivering on a daily basis. The Retail Awards recognised and cele-brated the efforts and success of retailers across the town.”

Other supporters of the awards included eBusiness Works, Derbyshire Times and Peak FM.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Anna Melton .