Finalists have been announced for a Preston city centre awards ceremony.

Following a public vote with more than 70,000 votes cast the top five in each of the Smiles Better Awards categories have been announced.

Covering the city’s favourite restaurants, bars, pubs, and recognising those who serve in them the awards have been running since 2013 when they began as the Alive After Five Awards.

Fifteen awards are to be handed out at the ceremony at Evoque on Tuesday 9 April.

Alongside the awards such as Bar of the Year is a special recognition award which goes to someone who has made a significant contribution to the city – and cannot be voted for by the public.

Previous winners include Friargate florist Margaret Mason, the Carter family behind the Ted Carter angling store and the late council leader councillor Peter Rankin.

Read more: See who won the awards in 2018

Preston’s Business Improvement District organises the awards each year.

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

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

Sponsors of the awards the North and Western Lancashire Chamber of Commerce chief executive Babs Murphy 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.”

Here’s who made the finalists list:

Bar of the year
Northern Way
Plau
Roper Hall
Wings and Beer
Yates

Club of the year
Baluga
Evoque
Popworld
Switch
Warehouse

Restaurant of the year
Angelos
Bistrot Pierre
Turtle Bay
Nandos
We Don’t Give A Fork

Pub of the year
Hogarths
Plug and Taps
Ships and Giggles
Twelve Tellers
The Adelphi

Personality of the year
Brian Hudson – Tokyo Jo’s Reunion
DJ Ben – The Warehouse
Darren Ofsarnie – Switch
Mark Freejack – Evoque
Matthew Wood – Krispy Kreme

Leisure manager of the year
Adam Coulson – Twelve Tellers
Dave Brown – Switch
Joe Parr – Wings & Beers
Mark O’Rourke – Mark O’Rourke Group
Stacey Penney – Evoque

Retail manager of the year
David Bullock – Preston Market
Gordon Gibson – Action Records
Matthew Wood – Krispy Kreme
Michelle Littlefair – PDSA
Sue Dodwell – Greggs

Multiple retailer of the year
Ann Summers
Greggs
Krispy Kreme
Mark O’Rourke Group
Top Shop

Independent retailer of the year
Action Records
Cafune – South American Cafe Roast
Townhouse Coffee and Brew Bar
Yog Yums

Best customer service – Leisure
Dan Cowell – Wings and Beers
Ellen Cunliffe – Twelve Tellers
Henry Fairclough – Ships and Giggles Lee
Lee Johnson – Switch
Sean Devlin – Get Staffed

Best customer service – Retail
Gordon Gibson – Action Records
Matthew Wood – Krispy Kreme
Paul Roscoe – HMB
Sue Dodwell – Greggs
Sam Eaves – Ann Summers

Outstanding achievement in retail
Adrian Livesey – Livesey’s Butchers
Andrew Stringer – St George’s
Dean Yates – Roast
Gordon Gibson – Action Records
Matthew Wood – Krispy Kreme

Outstanding achievement leisure
Aimee Massey – Bistrot Pierre
Darren Ofsarnie – Switch
Kyle Perkins – Yates
Lisa Billington – Warehouse
Simon Rigby – Guild Hall

City Star
Bernice Newton – Townhouse Coffee and Brew Bar
Ed Walker – Blog Preston
Ranvir Singh – UCLan/ITV
Simon Meighan – Wings and Beer
Simon Rigby – Guild Hall

Market Trader of the Year
Adrian Livesey’s Butchers
Brew + Bake
Capelli Remi
Cherry Pie
Redmans of Preston

Event of the year
Bongo’s Bingo – Guild Hall
EvanFest – Ships and Giggles
GlastonFerret – The Ferret
Preston Pride – Flag Market
Record Store Day – Action Records

Read more: See the latest news about Preston city centre