Businesses celebrated at DN21 Awards

Businesses in Gainsborough were celebrated at this year's DN21 awards.
All the winner's at the DN21 Awards 2016All the winner's at the DN21 Awards 2016
All the winner's at the DN21 Awards 2016

More than 150 entries were received and judged with 10 awards presented throughout the evening recognising local firms for their green credentials, business growth and customer service as well as their innovation and community engagement.

The awards are now in its second years and are a partnership between the town’s Marshall’s Yard shopping centre and Gainsborough Trinity Football Club.

The winner of the Retailer of the Year Award, which is decided through a public vote and sponsored by Martin and Co, was the department store Browns in Marshall’s Yard.

All the winner's at the DN21 Awards 2016All the winner's at the DN21 Awards 2016
All the winner's at the DN21 Awards 2016

The Customer Service Team of the Year, sponsored by Gainsborough Town Council, winner was The Body Shop with runners up Laura Ashley and Barnes Jewellers, the Community Engagement Award, sponsored by Pygott and Crone, winner was Acis with runners up Riverside Training and LEW; the Green Business of the Year, sponsored by Waste Cost Reduction Services, winner was M&S with Gainsborough Furniture Resource Centre and Elite Pest Management runners-up; the Independent Retailer of the Year, sponsored by West Lindsey District Council, winner was Jasmine Tree, runners up Stanley Hunt Jewellers and Browns. Pink Pamper also received a highly commended judges award; the Business of the Year, sponsored by HSBC, winner was AMP Rose with LEW and Kal Group coming runner up; the Business Person of the Year, sponsored by Horsley’s, winner was Andrew Johnson of LEW with runners up Richard Hill (SEO Traffic Lab) and Pauline Arnold (M&S); the Shining Star Individual Award, sponsored by EDF Energy, winner was Kerry Eaton of Sills and Betteridge with runners up Maggie Brown from McDonald’s and Helen Stocks from Boots; the Best New Business, sponsored by Wright Vigar, winner was Blush Venue Décor with Drumbeat and Fun Printz coming runner up and the Social Media Award, sponsored by MMC, winner Vertical Fitness and Vertical Joy with runners up Fun Printz and Stanley Hunt Jewellers.

BBC Radio Lincolnshire’s breakfast show presenter Scott Dalton hosted the evening. Award judges included Ian Green, Relationship Manager for HSBC and Bernadette Rushton, Retail Investment Manager for Rotherham Borough Council. The judges carried out a series of interviews and mystery shopping exercises before reaching their decisions.

Centre Manager at Marshall’s Yard, Alison Hall, said: “The DN21 Awards, now in it’s second year, just keeps growing and growing and we were staggered by the response.

“We had to squeeze in an extra 60 people this year and all tables were booked within 24 hours of opening applications. It is great to see the town come together and celebrate the great success stories we have here.

All the winner's at the DN21 Awards 2016All the winner's at the DN21 Awards 2016
All the winner's at the DN21 Awards 2016

“We’ve been absolutely delighted with both the standard of the entries and the enthusiasm from the town’s businesses to get involved. DN21 really does have some fantastic businesses led by some very talented people and it’s great to have this opportunity to recognise that through these awards.”

Gainsborough Trinity FC Chairman, Richard Kane, said: “We’d like to thank everyone who has helped to make this event such a great success and well as all the businesses in the town who put forward their nominations.

“The standard was extremely high and our judges came away very impressed by what Gainsborough has to offer.”

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