Finalists unveiled for Wolverhampton's WIRE retail awards

A total of 27 business have been shortlisted for the annual Wolverhampton Independent Retail Excellence (WIRE) Awards after 240 entries across nine categories.

Among the finalists are, six cafes/eateries, four gifts/crafts/toys outlets, four hair and beauty salons, two hotels, two entertainment venues, two fashion outlets, four butchers/bakeries, one florist, one furniture business and one pub.

The awards ceremony will take place at Molineux Stadium on Tuesday, July 17.

Wolverhampton's council leader, Councillor Roger Lawrence, said: “The judges have been overwhelmed by the number and the standard of entries received this year.

“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.”

Shortlisted businesses will also have the chance to win an additional honour, as they will be automatically entered into a public vote for the Signal 107 People’s Favourite Business. People who register a vote will also be in with a chance of winning one of a number of prizes donated by local businesses.

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

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 staff that work in the sector.

The award finalists are:

Community Contributor of the Year:

• Light House Media Centre, Fryer Street

• Love n Peas Café, Gatis Street

• Party Angels, Cannock Road

• Wolverhampton Grand Theatre, Lichfield St

Excellence in Customer Service:

• Blooms Menswear, Darlington Street

• K Teas Cakes, St George’s Parade

• Party Angels, Cannock Road

• Zaks Hairdressing, School Street

Independent Employer of the Year:

• Baked in Tettenhall, Upper Green, Tettenhall

• Blooms Menswear, Darlington Street

• Root 66 Hair Care, Hall Street, Bilston

• Wild Bytes Café & Lounge, Darlington Street

Employee of the Year:

• Nutmeg, Farmers Fold – Shaideen Malcolm

• The Springhill Public House, Warstones Road – Kylie Freeman

• Vaal & Vaal, Clifton House, Chapel Ash – Luke Russell

• Wild Bytes Café & Lounge, Darlington Street – Samantha Richardson

Excellence in Team Development:

• Gorgeous Hair & Beauty, Dudley Road

• Poxons Butchers, Windmill Lane

• Wild Byte’s Café & Lounge, Darlington Street

• Zaks Hairdressing, School Street

Best Presented Premises:

• K-Tea's Tearoom & Cakes, Collingwood Road

• Nutmeg, Farmers Fold

• Robinsons Bakery, Trysull Road

• Wolverhampton Grand Theatre, Lichfield Street

• Zuri Coffee, Lichfield Street

Hospitality and Leisure Business of the Year:

• A Park View Hotel, Park Road West

• The Mount Hotel, Mount Road

• The Springhill Public House, Warstones Road

• Wolverhampton Grand Theatre, Lichfield Street

Best Dressed Retail Store:

• Betty Blakes Toy Emporium, Windsor Avenue

• Crafty Happenings, Windsor Avenue

• Diffusion, Lichfield Street

• Flowers in the City, Queen Street

• Room by Room, Merridale Road

Independent Retailer of the Year:

• Betty Blakes Toy Emporium, Windsor Avenue

• Blooms Menswear, Darlington Street

• Robinsons Butchers & Deli, High Street, Tettenhall

• Shop in the Square, Queen Square

• The Springhill Public House, Warstones Road

• Zaks Hairdressing, School Street