Shoppers vote for centre favourites
AWARDS CEREMONY CROWNS TOP ATTRACTIONS AT INTU TRAFFORD CENTRE
THE Trafford Centre has been celebrating its 20th birthday and in the two decades gone by, the centre has grown to welcome more than 30-million visitors each year.
The mall’s Retailer Awards ceremony celebrates the customer favourites out of the 200 shops, restaurants, bars and leisure attractions, and the results have been revealed.
More than 4,000 shoppers cast their votes in this year’s awards, which were handed out in 15 categories at a glittering awards ceremony held at the Midland Hotel. Hits Radio presenter Mike Toolan and Coronation Street’s Brooke Vincent were on stage to host the awards.
Store of the year went to Selfridges, while Next took home the menswear awards and New Look collected the accolade for top women’s retailer. Clarks was named footwear retailer of the year, and the brand-new Waterstones took the prize for retail development of the year.
Boots picked up the health and beauty retailer award, followed by Next Home who collected the gong for homeware retailer.
In other sectors, Apple and ODEON were awarded specialist retailer and toy store and leisure attraction of the year respectively.
In the catering sector, McDonalds was awarded food and drink retailer of the year, while Wagamama took home the award for restaurant and bar of the year.
Mamas & Papas commitment to outstanding customer service saw the team pick up an accolade, while Samantha Urmston from Laser Quest and Ann Cranston from The Body Shop were recognised for their individual dedication to the role. Further individual successes included Ben Cain from Tampopo who was awarded the restaurant manager of the year award, and Jenn McDonough from LEGOLAND Discovery Centre and SEA LIFE Manchester, who collected the store manager of the year award.
Alison Niven, regional centre director, said: “Intu Trafford Centre has gone from strength to strength over the last 12 months and it’s thanks to the fantastic array of new openings such as Abercombie & Fitch, reinvestment from great brands like Selfridges in their astounding new beauty hall and commitment to outstanding customer service provided by our retailers, restaurants and leisure attractions.” A little healthy competition is always good at the centre – it’s what keeps our 30-million visitors coming back every year.”