Finalists announced for Wolverhampton’s first annual WIRE Awards

More than 140 businesses made 359 entries across 11 categories, with 47 businesses shortlisted for the awards.

Among the finalists is a market trader, five cafes and food suppliers, a bar, two hotels, four gifts/crafts/toys outlets, two jewellers, two fashion outlets, five hair and beauty salons, two florists/garden suppliers and one furniture business.

The awards ceremony will take place at Molineux Stadium on Tuesday, July 18,.

Wolverhampton council leader, Councillor Roger Lawrence, said: “The judges have been overwhelmed by the number and the standard of entries received, especially as these awards are completely new to our city.

“It highlights the amazing diversity and quality of retail business in the area and how important it is that we celebrate and reward their success.”

More than 2,500 public votes have been received for Wolverhampton’s Favourite Retailer of the Year, sponsored by the Express & Star, and voting will remain open in this category until midnight on Wednesday, June 28.

John Henn, chairman of Wolverhampton BID, added: “This is the public’s chance to recognise the diverse and skilled Independent retailers we have in this great city of ours.

“It is so easy to vote, just go to www.wireawards.co.uk or text WIRE, plus the name of your favourite retailer to 60777, and give your endorsement to your favourite retailer. Thanks for taking part and celebrating the City of Wolverhampton.”

Tickets for the WIRE Awards, at Molineux Stadium’s WV1 Suite, are available from www.wireawards.co.uk.

The awards are being led by Wolverhampton Business Improvement District (BID) in partnership with the city council, and will also be supporting charity, Promise Dreams, on the night.

The aim is to celebrate and praise the entrepreneurial spirit, dedication and hard work of those involved in running and managing a successful independent business, as well as to recognise the loyalty and dedication of the staff that work in this sector.

The other categories are Independent Retailer of the Year, Retail Personality of the Year, Excellence in Customer Service, Best Dressed Shop or Outlet, Employee of the Year, Apprentice or Trainee of the Year, Excellence in Staff Development, Hospitality & Leisure Business of the Year, Community Retailer of the Year, Most Improved Business of the Year, and New Business of the Year.

Sponsors include Corporate Wolves and Venue Catering Partner, Signal 107, Meercat Associates Ltd, Yarrington, Mander Centre, Express & Star, City of Wolverhampton College, Wolverhampton Racecourse, Ramada Park Hall Hotel & Spa, NCP, and BCRS Business Loans, and Wolverhampton Partners in Progress.

Finalists:

Independent Retailer of the Year: Diffusion, The Mount Hotel, Richards Floral Design, Blooms Menswear, Rudell The Jewellers, Shop in the Square

Retail Personality of the Year: Richards Floral Design, Windsor Toys, Nutmeg, Love and Peas, Ramada Wolverhampton

Excellence in Customer Service: Dave’s Phones Ltd, Windsor Toys, Slater’s Bar, A Park View Hotel, Party Angels, Wild Bytes Café and Lounge, NCP

Best Dressed Shop or Outlet: Richards Floral Design, Diffusion, Room by Room, The Potting Shed garden shop & services, Yarrington

Employee of the Year: Blooms Menswear, The Hungry Bistro, T A Henn and Son Limited, Signal 107

Best Apprentice or Trainee of the Year: Blooms Menswear, ROOT 66 Hair Care, The Academy Hair Salon, Ego Hair Salon, City of Wolverhampton Council

Excellence in Staff Development: The Mount Hotel, Rudell The Jewellers, Slater’s Bar, Zak’s Hairdressing, Black Country Chamber of Commerce

Hospitality & Leisure Business of the Year: Wild Bytes Café and Lounge, Slater’s Bar, The Hungry Bistro, A Park View Hotel, City of Wolverhampton College

Community Retailer of the Year: Windsor Toys, Love and Peas, Shop in the Square, Wild Bytes Café and Lounge, Flavour of Paradise Cafe, BCRS

Most Improved Business of the Year: The Mount Hotel, Richards Floral Design, Lush Beauty and Laser Clinic, Domino Crafts, Partners in Progress

New Business of the Year: Slater’s Bar, Nutmeg, ROOT 66 Hair Care, Enjoy Wolverhampton