WIRE Awards reveal Wolverhampton’s 'favourite retailer' finalists

The four are the finalists for the Favourite Retailer of the Year title, sponsored by the Express & Star, in this year's inaugural Wolverhampton Independent Retail Excellence (WIRE) Awards.

Batteries Not Included at the Wulfrun Shopping Centre, Party Angels on Cannock Road, The Moby Shop on Bilston High Street, and Zuri Coffee on Lichfield Street, are all in the running for the coveted prize at the first annual city awards.

Almost 3,000 public votes were cast before the deadline on June 28.

The winner will be crowned at the WIRE Awards ceremony at Molineux Stadium on Tuesday.

Eleven other awards will be handed out at the prestigious event, with 24 businesses shortlisted from 140 that entered across the categories.

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.

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.”

Wolverhampton BID was set up three years ago, backed by almost 90 per cent of businesses in the city centre, to invest around £3 million over five years on improving the heart of Wolverhampton.

John Henn, chairman of Wolverhampton BID and owner of city centre jewellers TA Henn, said: “This award has given members of the public the chance to recognise the diverse and skilled independent retailers we have in this great city of ours and to give their endorsement to their favourite retailer.”

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

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

The other award 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.

The full list of finalists in each category can be seen online at https://wireawards.co.uk/finalists/.

The event has secured sponsorship backing from a wide range of businesses, including Corporate Wolves and Venue Catering Partner, Signal 107, Meercat Associates, Yarrington, Mander Centre, Express & Star, City of Wolverhampton College, Wolverhampton Racecourse, Ramada Park Hall Hotel & Spa, NCP, BCRS Business Loans, Black Country Chamber of Commerce and Wolverhampton Partners in Progress.