Preston’s top businesses have been recognised for their achievements in this year’s It Smiles Better awards.

More than 200 nominations came from businesses and individuals across the city centre.

Advertisements

Whittled down to 111 finalists across the 14 categories, the winners were chosen through a public vote with fourteen accolades up for grabs.

Read more: Circus of Horrors coming to Preston for 250th year of Circus

Cllr Peter Rankin, Leader of Preston City Council, was awarded the Special Recognition Award.

The awards, which were organised by Preston Business Improvement District and sponsored by Abbey Telecom, were handed out at Preston Guild Hall.

BBC Radio Lancashire’s presenter John Gillmore and radio favourite Danny Bee hosted the evening, and welcomed special guest TV favourite Sherrie Hewson to present an award.

Sherrie, who’s currently starring in TV favourite ‘Benidorm’, said: “It was great to be in Preston and share in the success of the winners and finalists – it was a fabulous night.”

Mark Whittle from Preston BID said: “These awards are always hotly contested with healthy competition between nominees to secure the public vote – the city centre is awash with great people working in great businesses and its good to recognise and reward them; they are the reason people visit Preston”

The full list of winners:

Retail Manager of the Year – Sue Dodwell, Greggs

Independent Business of the Year –  Town House Coffee & Brew Bar

Bar of the Year – Yates

Multiple Retailer of the Year – Ann Summers

Best Customer Service in a Leisure Business – Alice Corke, Costa (St George’s)

Leisure Manager of the Year – Dave Brown, Switch

Restaurant of the Year – Turtle Bay

Personality of the Year – Brian Hudson, Yates

Pub of the Year – Twelve Tellers

Nightclub of the Year – The Warehouse

Advertisements

Best Customer Service in a Retail Business – Sam Eaves, Ann Summers

Outstanding Achievement in Retail – Andrew Stringer, St George’s Shopping Centre

Outstanding Achievement in Leisure – Lisa Billington, The Warehouse

City Star – Simon Rigby MBE

What do you think about the winners? Did you vote? Let us know in the comments below