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Guests at the launch including representatives from sponsors The Event Crew, Jmez Media, Qwerty, Hicks Baker, Reading 107fm and the Reading Post. Below top, BID manager Guy Douglas with Martin Gardner of Qwerty. Below bottom, judges Thames Valley Chamber of Commerce’s Paul Briggs and Derek Maynard
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Shops battle it out for retail ‘Oscars’

By Alan Bunce
April 14, 2010

The people who make Reading one of the country’s best places to shop are to be recognised in the Reading Retail Awards 2010 – and organisers want Reading Post readers involved.

The competition was officially launched on Monday when Broad Street Mall manager Steve Fawke addressed invited guests.

He said: “We want to build this innovative scheme to become a regular and very important part of Reading’s business calendar for years to come.”

All the town’s stores, from the biggest to the smallest, are eligible for the scheme which is split into 10 awards within two main categories: consumer-based and business-based.

The overall Retailer of the Year will be chosen by the judges at their discretion. The panel consists of Derek Maynard, a former director of Bhs, Gary Hale, director of Bisham Asset Management, the mall’s asset management company, and Paul Briggs, chief executive of Thames Valley Chamber and a former manager of the mall. They will decide the winners, to be announced at an awards ceremony on August 6.

The consumer-based awards are for customers to nominate their favourite stores and venues under the headings:

- My Favourite Coffee Shop – looking at quality, range, ambience and speed of service
- The Lovely Lunch – to recognise the lunchtime venue that exceeds levels of ambience, service and quality
- The Service With a Smile – recognising exemplary customer service
- The Shop I Can’t Live Without – for your favourite shop.

All the customers who make a nomination in this category will go into a draw for £500 cash.

The business-based awards recognise how well the stores are managed.

Retailers and managers can enter their stores for:

- Promotional Initiative of the Year – for the best marketing or promotional campaign
- Independent Retailer of the Year – recognising individual, innovative and exemplary customer service
- Multiple Retailer of the Year – for a multiple retailer giving exemplary customer service
- Store Design and Environment of the Year – recognising innovation and creativity in store design
- Store Manager of the Year – awarding excellence in delivering a company’s brand, values and message
- Shooting Star – awarded to an individual who goes above and beyond their defined role.

The Reading Post is supporting the awards in conjunction with Broad Street Mall, event organising firm The Event Crew, web expert Jmez Media, design and print specialist Qwerty, property consultant Hicks Baker, Reading 107fm and pentahotels.

To enter go to www.readingretailawards.co.uk or look out for the forms in the town’s shops.

Closing date for entries is Friday, July 2.

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Most recent user comments 3 of 3

Has the Post bought the Chronicle then cos I notice that this story is from the chronics former business editor

Tuxyn, Reading
15/04/2010 at 02:32

The best by a long way - John Lewis. Second - Debenhams. The rest - nowhere.

London Stan
14/04/2010 at 11:36

Jacksons corner for being the shop thats stocks all the things the big shops don't at prices you can afford.Plus the staff serve you as if they really are pleased to serve you. Most of the others have assistants who either think your some shoplifter,or pounce on you the moment you get in the shop to buy.Or worst of all couldn't care less because they're too busy texting.