Town Centre Business Awards 2008

Reporter: Jan Harwood
Date online: 05/09/2008

The second annual Rochdale Town Centre Business Awards took place tonight (Friday 5 September), at the China City restaurant. Christmas was the unlikely theme for the ceremony, with festive music played and Christmas characters roaming the room. Organisers at the Town Centre Management committee decided that because town centre employees had to work hard over the Christmas period, they should get chance to have their own festive celebrations.

The awards, sponsored by Rochdale Council, are held in an effort to recognise excellence in customer service. Each of the award nominees were assessed and had mystery shoppers visit their businesses in order to determine the winners.

Hundreds of guests packed into China City for the announcement of the award winners and sample the magnificent Chinese buffet provided by the hosts

As the guests took their seats, Gary Gifford, the evening's hilarious host, introduced Rochdale's Deputy Mayor, Councillor Keith Swift, who spoke enthusiastically about the idea behind the awards ceremony: "I am delighted to see Rochdale Town Centre celebrating excellent customer service. Town centre businesses are leading the way with the service they provide. It is great to see, especially with huge town centre development on the way. We are looking forward to a brighter future for Rochdale and awards like this send out a very positive image of the town."

Council Chief Executive, Roger Ellis, and deputy leader of the Council, Councillor Irene Davidson, also took to the stage to talk about the future development of Rochdale Town Centre. Roger Ellis said: "Within the next couple of years there will be £200million in office development, a new bus station for Rochdale town centre and a new sixth form centre, as well as a new look Hopwood Hall College. There will also be £250 million to develop new town centre retail over the next five years.

"We are here to thank people who help make town centre business thrive."

Councillor Davidson said: "It is very important to Rochdale Council that Rochdale town centre businesses and services are kept going while the changes are going through.

"I would like to say thank you to for what these businesses are doing for Rochdale. We really do appreciate it."

Following the speeches it was time for the first batch of awards.

Here are the winners:

Best National Retailer sponsored by the Rochdale Exchange: Marks and Spencer

Best Independent Retailer sponsored by Anthony K Associates: Chantilly

Best Food Retailer sponsored by Rochdale Town Centre Management: Bar 5

Best Service Provider sponsored by Northern Employment Services: Mecca Bingo

Best Customer Service sponsored by Rochdale Borough Council Customer Services: Greater Manchester Police Rochdale North Partnership

During the interval the guests enjoyed the fantastic food provided by China City and listened to more Christmas music. There was also the spectacle of seeing Rochdale North Police Inspector James Troisi taking part in a daredevil knife juggling demonstration!

Rochdale Town Centre Manager Debbie O'Brien said during the break: "It has been another fantastic event. We thought we would bring Christmas early to the businesses because they do not get to celebrate it. We want to give something back to them and we hope that everyone has enjoyed themselves and has a fantastic time celebrating the fantastic customer services in Rochdale town centre."

Then it was on with more awards.

The final batch of winners were:

Rochdale Ambassador sponsored by Rochdale Online: John Peers Hair Studio

Rochdale Online owner Malcolm Journeaux said: "This is the second year Rochdale Online has sponsored this award and we are delighted to be associated with it because it is important the town is portrayed in the best possible light, and this award recognises that importance."

Best Long Serving Business sponsored by Wilson Bowden: Sandifords

Best Business Overall sponsored by Rochdale Development Agency: Chantilly

Employee of the Year 2008 sponsored by the Rochdale Observer: Patricia Pearson of Gregg's, Yorkshire Street.

Best Bar None, Best Pub sponsored by China City: The Baum

Best Bar None, Best Bar/Club sponsored by Rochdale Safer Communities Partnership: Mango

Best Bar None, Overall sponsored by Rochdale Borough Council Licensing: Mango