Businesses from across Chester city centre came together for a prestigious awards ceremony at The Chester Grosvenor Hotel this week, as the winners of the CH1ChesterBID Customer Service Awards 2018 were revealed.
Recognising shops, restaurants, bars, independent retailers and other businesses that go the extra mile for customers, the awards were introduced by the BID in 2015, shortly after it was established.
More than 1,500 votes were cast, and the top three businesses across 14 different categories then received a mystery shopper visit to determine a winner.
Carl Critchlow, BID manager at CH1ChesterBID, said: “We are very proud of what Chester has to offer visitors and we love hosting these awards, which really give us a chance to recognise the hardworking people and dedicated businesses we have in our city centre.
He added: “We think it’s so important to celebrate the fantastic contribution our local businesses and their staff make to Chester city centre every single day.
“They should all be really proud of their achievements over the past 12 months and our congratulations go to all of this year’s winners.”
The full list of winners and shortlisted businesses is provided below:
Best Pub/Club/Bar
Nominated: The Alchemist, The Botanist, Bar Lounge.
Winner: The Alchemist
Best Coffee Shop
Nominated: Jaunty Goat, Mad Hatters Tearoom & Bakery, The Flower Cup
Winner: Jaunty Goat
Best Restaurant
Nominated: Opera Grill, Atina Kitchen, Burger Shed 41
Winner: Burger Shed 41
Best Food on the Go
Nominated: Gino’s Gelato, Funky Cow Milkshake Bar, Blackstocks
Winner: Gino’s Gelato
Best Small Retailer (less than 20 employees in the Chester store)
Nominated: Hotel Chocolat, Games Workshop, Build-a-Bear Workshop
Winner: Build-a-Bear Workshop
Best Fashion Small Retailer (less than 20 employees in the Chester store)
Nominated: Ann Summers, Accessorize, The White Company
Winner: The White Company
Best Large Retailer (more than 20 employees in the Chester store)
Nominated: Debenhams, Marks & Spencer, Wilko
Winner: Marks & Spencer
Best Independent Retailer
Nominated: Chester Market, Watergate Street Gallery, Weasel & The Bug
Winner: Watergate Street Gallery
Best Health & Beauty Services
Nominated: Specsavers, Boots Opticians, Inked Up Chester
Winner: Inked Up Chester
Best Health & Beauty Retailer
Nominated: Lush, The Body Shop, Holland and Barrett
Winner: The Body Shop
Best Leisure & Lifestyle
Nominated: Abbey Taxis, TUI, KingKabs
Winner: Abbey Taxis
Best Hotel/B&B
Nominated: The Grosvenor, The Pied Bull, The Coach House Inn
Winner: The Grosvenor
Best Professional Services
Nominated: Barclays, HSBC, NatWest
Winner: Barclays
Best of Grosvenor Shopping Centre
Nominated: Castle Fine Art, Jigsaw, Boodles
Winner: Boodles
Star Employee
Winner: Stuart Leutchford – HSBC
