Chesterfield Retail Awards winners announced

11 of Chesterfield’s retailers have fought off stiff competition from more than 240 businesses to be named the very best in the town.

The winners of the first Chesterfield Retail Awards, organised by Destination Chesterfield and sponsored by Slic Training, were named at an awards ceremony held at the Assembly Rooms at Chesterfield Market Hall on the 18 June 2014.

Pelican Cycles, based on Old Road in Brampton, scooped awards across four categories, including the coveted Retailer of the Year award. The cycle shop was opened in 2012 by owner and keen cyclist Neil Armitage. It stocks an extensive range of cycling parts and accessories, including big name quality brands, as well as offering a full workshop repair and maintenance service. Outside the shop, Pelican Cycles holds free weekly evening road rides in the summer and holding private indoor cycle spinning sessions for customers at Queens Park Leisure Centre during winter.

Prior to opening the shop Neil had never worked on retail. He said: “I followed a dream when I opened Pelican Cycles. I was genuinely gobsmacked to win the awards. We have worked our socks off but it’s worth it.”

Since opening, the business achieved a six figure turnover in year 1 with turnover growing by more than 50% in its second year of trading. Neil said: “We pride ourselves on offering a friendly and personal service. We have created a welcoming informal atmosphere in the shop with the use of touches like an espresso machine and screen showing Tour De France highlights. Because of these touches and our approach to customer service we have developed a loyal repeat customer base.

“I was convinced there was a gap in the local market for a quality cycle shop that treated people with respect and gave a good, honest and personal service. Essentially I wanted to provide what I had been looking for. To receive these awards shows that we have achieved this. I am delighted.”

Multiple awards were also won by new business M Markovitz Ltd Kitchens, Bathrooms and Bedrooms based on Sheffield Road in Whittington Moor. It was named as the Best New Store and National/ Multiple Retailer of the Year. The family run business, which opened its first store in Tideswell, Derbyshire in 1935, launched in Chesterfield in 2013.

Some of Chesterfield’s oldest businesses also won awards at the ceremony, including John Stevenson Jewellers, Northern Tea Merchants and Fred’s Haberdashery who, between them, have been serving customers in the town for more than 120 years.

Hair and Beauty Business of the Year

• Viviennes Hairdressing

Fashion and Footwear Retailer of the Year – Sponsored by Oxspring Technical Ltd

• Zebra Menswear

Jewellery and Accessories Retailer of the Year – Sponsored by The Pavements Shopping Centre

• John Stevenson Jewellers

Home and Gifts Retailer of the Year

• Bigwicks

Children’s Clothes, Toys & Accessories Retailer of the Year

• Babyluv

Food and Drink Retailer of the Year – Sponsored by Barber Harrison & Platt

• Northern Tea Merchants

Phones and Technology Retailer of the Year

• aGeek

Leisure Retailer of the Year (Sports, Hobbies, Crafts or Outdoor)

• Pelican Cycles

Market Trader of the Year – Sponsored by Chesterfield Borough Council

• Unstone Plant Centre

Independent Retailer of the Year – Sponsored by Jumble Design

• Pelican Cycles

National/ Multiple Retailer of the Year – Sponsored by the Source

• M Markovitz Ltd Kitchens, Bathrooms and Bedrooms

Excellence in Customer Service – Sponsored by ChesterfieldCollege

• Pelican Cycles

Market Hall Business of the Year

• Fred’s Haberdashery

Best New Store (Opened 2013/2014) – Sponsored by Banner Jones

• M Markovitz Ltd Kitchens, Bathrooms and Bedrooms

Retailer of the Year – Sponsored by Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire & Leicestershire Chamber of Commerce

• Pelican Cycles

Destination Chesterfield manager Dominic Stevens said: “The awards were a runaway success. From the offset we were overwhelmed with nominations for so many retailers in the town. The shortlisting and judging process was incredibly difficult with so many strong contenders in each field.

“Chesterfield is envied nationally for its retail success. While other town and city centres are struggling, ours is thriving and it’s no wonder seeing the passion, innovation and customer service so many of the town’s retailers are delivering on a daily basis. These awards recognise this.”

Other supporters of the awards included Vicar Lane Shopping, The Pavements Shopping Centre, eBusiness Works and the Derbyshire Times.

Find out more about the awards at www.chesterfield.co.uk/retailawards

Source:Destination Chesterfield

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