Member Article

Shops Are Celebrated At First Castlegate Retailer Awards

STOCKTON INDEPENDENT and national businesses were celebrated last week at the Castlegate Retailer Awards.

The shopping centre held their first ever Retailer Awards on Thursday 21st July at Stockton Masonic Hall to reward all their hardworking tenants and give them a night to remember.

The stylish ceremony was jam-packed with over 100 guests, as the winners of nine categories took to the stage to accept their awards.

The nine award categories included Best Marketing Initiatives, Shoppers Award, Best Independent Retailer, Best National Retailer, Best Safe Working, Best Retail Merchandiser, Best Food Offer, Best Community Involvement and Overall Retailer of the Year.

Winner of Best Independent Retailer, Lynn Kinnersley of Blue Corn Bakery said: “We were elated to receive this award as we were up against some very stiff competition.

“It is wonderful to have our shop recognised by our industry peers and we are very thankful to everyone who voted – we are proudly displaying our trophy in store and showing it off to all our customers!”

Fiona Boston, Manager of Faking It, who won Best Retail Merchandiser said:

“Everyone is extremely happy with the award and we loved the event, it was a brilliant way to bring all the shops together to celebrate everything that is great about Castlegate.

“It’s also fantastic that the awards give independent stores a chance to shine and compete with the large, national chains.”

Mystery shop certificates were also awarded to those who achieved high scoring and 100%, the winners included The Fish Plaice, Goldcast Computers and Bygone Bakery.

Acting Centre Manager, Tracey Surtees, said: “This was the first Castlegate Retailer Awards and we were delighted to celebrate our amazing retailers and their teams.

“The voting and mystery shops were extremely close across all categories this year which is testament to the high quality of retailers in the centre.

“From the smallest local independent to the largest nationals, everybody works tirelessly each day to deliver the best customer service and shopping experience for visitors at Castlegate – they are all winners in our eyes.”

Winners were as follows:-

Best Marketing Initiatives - The Stottie Company, Shoppers Award – B&M, Best Independent Retailer - Blue Corn Bakery, Best National Retailer– Greggs, Best Safe Working – Bodycare, Best Retail Merchandiser – Faking It, Best Food Offer – Greggs, Best Community Involvement – Hays Travel, Overall Retailer of the Year – Boots

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Chantal Taylor .