Shops and restaurants across Durham City are celebrating after being recognised in a prestigious awards ceremony.
The twelfth annual Durham City Retail Awards were held at Ramside Hall Hotel on Wednesday, 22 November, with Moon Jewellery emerging victorious in three categories including Overall Retailer of the Year.
Staff from the store, located on Silver Street, picked up their awards at a ceremony attended by Durham County Council Chairman Cllr Bill Kellett, Leader of the council Cllr Simon Henig and the Cabinet member for economic regeneration Cllr Carl Marshall.
The awards, organised by Durham County Council in partnership with Prince Bishops Shopping Centre, see members of the public invited to nominate their favourite shops as well as those staff who really make a difference.
A shortlist for each category is drawn up, with mystery shoppers sent to the top six in each category.
The retailer who receives the most points from the mystery shopper in each category then picks up the prize.
The full list of winners were:
Window of the Year – Whittard
Retail Experience of the Year – Moon Jewellery
Café of the Year – Tealicious
Small Retailer of the Year – Stormfront
Restaurant of the Year – Bill’s
Independent Retailer of the Year – Moon Jewellery
Bar of the Year – The Elm Tree
Retail Person of the Year – Sandra Mackenzie – East
Large Retailer of the Year – Clarks
Overall Retailer of the Year – Moon Jewellery
Cllr Carl Marshall said: “These awards were set up to provide everyone with a platform to celebrate the great retail experience we have to offer in Durham City Centre as well as to thank the fantastic staff who provide customers with excellent service.
“In today’s economy, these evenings give us the opportunity to get together, congratulate and thank everyone involved in making Durham City a great destination for all to enjoy.”
Award sponsors included Durham BID, Walkergate, MT Audio Systems, Taste Durham, Durham Markets Company, Durham City Best Bar None and Ramside Hall Hotel.