Who are your favourites among Preston businesses?

Voting is closed and the results are in.
The 2018 Smiles winners and guestsThe 2018 Smiles winners and guests
The 2018 Smiles winners and guests

More than 70,000 votes have been cast in Preston Business Improvement District’s ‘Smiles Better Awards’, which recognise outstanding businesses and individuals in Preston city centre.

The awards are sponsored by the North & Western Lancashire Chamber of Commerce.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

A total of fifteen prizes are up for grabs at the awards’ ceremony on April 9, including Independent Retailer of the Year, Multiple Retailer of the Year, Customer Service Champion, Bar of the Year, Restaurant of the Year and City Star.

In addition, a ‘Special Recognition Award’ which cannot be voted for, will be awarded to someone who’s made a significant contribution to the city.

Previously that honour has gone to Friargate florist Margaret Mason, who’s operated a business in Preston for over 55 years, the Carter family – former operators of Preston’s ‘Ted Carter’ angling store and former leader of Preston City Council, the late Honorary Alderman Peter Rankin.

Mark Whittle, from Preston BID which organises the competition said: ‘The businesses in Preston city centre consistently offer outstanding service, and the ‘Smiles Better’ awards are our way honouring these people and organisations.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“It’s their efforts thatkeep people returning to our city centre time and time again, and for that, we thank them”.

Babs Murphy Chief Executive of the North & Western Lancashire Chamber of Commerce, sponsors of the awards said: “The large amount of votes cast is a tribute to all the great customer-focused work being carried out by staff in Preston’s shops, restaurants, bars and cafes.

“This positive response from general public voting again highlights Preston’s deserved reputation as a vibrant shopping and leisure destination that delivers a great customer experience”.

The prizes will be handed out at the awards ceremony on April 9 at city centre nightclub Evoque.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Tickets are available to finalists by calling Preston’s BID on (01772) 653000 option 4.

The finalists:

BAR OF THE YEARNorthern Way Plau Roper HallWings & BeerYates

CLUB OF THE YEARBaluga Evoque Popworld Switch Warehouse

RESTAURANT OF THE YEARAngelosBistrot Pierre Turtle BayNandos We Don’t Give A Fork

PUB OF THE YEARHogarths Plug & TapsShips & GigglesTwelve TellersThe Adelphi

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

PERSONALITY OF THE YEARBrian Hudson – Tokyo Jo’s ReunionDJ Ben – The WarehouseDarren Ofsarnie – SwitchMark Freejack – EvoqueMatthew Wood – Krispy Kreme

LEISURE MANAGER OF THE YEARAdam Coulson - Twelve TellersDave Brown – SwitchJoe Parr – Wings & Beers Mark O’Rourke – Mark O’Rourke GroupStacey Penney – Evoque

RETAIL MANAGER OF THE YEARDavid Bullock – Preston MarketGordon Gibson – Action RecordsMatthew Wood – Krispy KremeMichelle Littlefair - PDSA Sue Dodwell - Greggs

MULTIPLE RETAILER OF THE YEAR Ann Summers GreggsKrispy KremeMark O’Rourke GroupTop Shop

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

INDEPENDENT RETAILER OF THE YEARAction RecordsCafune – South American Café RoastTownhouse Coffee & Brew BarYog Yums

BEST CUSTOMER SERVICE – LEISUREDan Cowell – Wings & BeersEllen Cunliffe – Twelve TellersHenry Fairclough – Ships & Giggles Lee Lee Johnson – SwitchSean Devlin – Get Staffed

BEST CUSTOMER SERVICE – RETAILGordon Gibson – Action RecordsMatthew Wood – Krispy KremePaul Roscoe – HMVSue Dodwell – GreggsSam Eaves – Ann Summers

OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT RETAILAdrian Livesey – Livesey’s Butchers Andrew Stringer – St George’sDean Yates – RoastGordon Gibson – Action RecordsMatthew Wood – Krispy Kreme

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT LEISUREAimee Massey – Bistrot PierreDarren Ofsarnie – Switch Kyle Perkins – YatesLisa Billington – Warehouse Simon Rigby – Guild Hall

CITY STARBernice Newton – Townhouse Coffee & Brew BarEd Walker – Blog PrestonRanvir Singh – UCLan / ITV Simon Meighan – Wings & Beer Simon Rigby – Guild Hall

MARKET TRADER OF THE YEARAdrian Livesey’s ButchersBrew + BakeCapelli RemiCherry PieRedmans of Preston

EVENT OF THE YEARBongo’s Bingo – Guild Hall EvanFest – Ships & GigglesGlastonFerret – The FerretPreston Pride – Flag MarketRecord Store Day – Action Records