The inaugural Retail, Leisure and Hospitality Awards aim to celebrate success, recognise achievement, highlight the innovative people, venues and destinations throughout Bradford district who are making the area a great place to shop, dine and spend leisure time.

We believe that those that go the extra mile, whether big or a small business should be recognised for helping improve Bradford district as a retail destination. We are looking for businesses with passion, determination, tireless energy and skill that is helping put Bradford on the map. Our 10 award categories are designed to celebrate retail, Leisure and Hospitality venues from across all BD postcodes.

Organised in partnership with The Broadway shopping and leisure complex the awards offer an unrivalled opportunity to associate your brand and your people with this new and exciting awards programme.

The awards final, which will take place on Sunday 10th November 2019 under the Christmas lights inside the main concourse of The Broadway itself and will be attended by hundreds from this growing sector. It will be a celebration of the region’s best companies and a reminder that Bradford is a great place to visit.

The whole event will provide you with fantastic opportunity to thank your most valued asset, your people, showcase your business and gain unrivalled free marketing publicity in the Telegraph & Argus online and in-print, Living lifestyle Magazine and Bradford Means Business, uniting the Retail, Leisure and Hospitality community in a positive way.

Below you can read about all ten categories, including details of what the judges will be looking for.

If you think you have what it takes, nominate using our online form.

 

Fashion Store of the Year

Purpose: To recognise any retailer, large or small, independent or national, that is making a big noise in the fashion retail world! Branches of national companies should enter as a store.

Criteria: The judges will be looking for evidence of what sets a retailer apart from its competition, either in terms of its achievements, its best practice, or its success.

Examples of evidence to support the application can include sales performance, internal awards, team development, achievement of key performance indicators and customer feedback. Entries can be accepted from any retailer whose stock relates to fashion. For example, clothing, footwear, accessories and jewellery.

Retailer of the Year (non-fashion)

Purpose: To recognise any retailer, large or small, independent or national, that is making a big noise in the retail world! Branches of national companies should enter as a store.

Criteria: The judges will be looking for evidence of what sets a retailer apart from its competition, either in terms of its achievements, its best practice, or its success. Examples of evidence to support the application can include sales performance, internal awards, team development, achievement of key performance indicators and customer feedback.

Entries can be accepted from any retailer other than a fashion retailer as described in Fashion Retailer. As an example, homeware, furniture, garden, food or motor trade.

New Business/Retailer of the Year

Purpose: To recognise those businesses which have gone from 0 to 100mph within two years.

Criteria: The successes should speak for themselves and the judges will be looking for evidence of rapid expansion, niche-filling, excellent turnover or job creation – or all the above. Those trading for more than two years cannot enter this category.

Bar /Restaurant of the Year

Purpose: To recognise the business that puts their bar or restaurant in the forefront of their industry for its outstanding service, cuisine and congenial surroundings.

Criteria: The judges will be looking for evidence of excellence in service and presentation, backed by testimonials (judges will accept evidence from review sites such as TripAdvisor), evidence of how the business caters for people with different/special dietary requirements, and any unique or outstanding elements of the business.

Hair/Beauty Business of the Year

Purpose: To recognise any business delivering excellence in the hairdressing and beauty sector.

Criteria: The judges will be looking for evidence of excellence in service and presentation, backed by testimonials from customers and the industry in general, evidence of pioneering new trends and practices, catering for customer needs across a broad spectrum and excellence in niche areas.

Leisure Venue of the Year

Purpose: To recognise any business that puts the area on the map as a wonderful place to live and visit.

Criteria: The judges will be looking for evidence of the contribution of the venue in attracting visitors to the area, as well as catering for local people, and its excellence within the leisure industry.

Examples of evidence to support the application can include footfall information, geographic catchment of customer base, visitor number growth, awards won and customer feedback.

Hotel of the Year

Purpose: To recognise a locally based hotel that provides truly memorable guest experiences and demonstrating excellence across every aspect of the business.

Criteria: The judges will be looking for a hotel with more than 12 bedrooms and offers a selection of services, reception, bar, restaurant etc, that can demonstrate evidence of excellence, positive customer/staff feedback, how the hotel caters for all and has some outstanding elements to this hotel.

Customer Service Award

Purpose: To reward a company, or member of staff or team within an organisation, that goes above and beyond the call of duty for their customers.

Criteria: The judges will be looking for clear evidence of customer service excellence. This may include customer reviews, achievement of key performance indicators, awards or recognition by other organisations, or testimonials from colleagues.

Team Member of the Year

Purpose: To recognise any employee who has gone that extra mile and exceeded the expectations of their manager, trainer or mentor, or whose contribution to a team just cannot be ignored.

Criteria: The judges will be looking for inspirational stories of where an individual has contributed to the success of their business or team. They will be looking for entrants who have demonstrated commitment to their company, have gone the extra mile for customers or colleagues, and who are considered as a vital member of the company.

Manager of the Year

Purpose: To recognise an imaginative and creative manager whose individual contribution to the success of a business is by valuing and investing in their employees.

Criteria: The judges will look for evidence of what the manager has done that is special or outstanding for the benefit and wellbeing of their team. Examples of evidence to support the application can include team development, coaching and mentoring, achievement of key performance indicators, sales performance, and how the individual makes the company a wonderful place to work.

Nominations for Manager of the Year are welcome from any member of a team / company.