WINNERS all ... (from the left: Mass Khan, Sugar Retail; Mark Lester; Maggie Hughes, Zutti and Co; Rachael Burgoyne; Chris Thomas; Nasim Khan; Councillor Wingate; Mike Flanagan; David Clegg, John Clegg Opticians; Nichola Whitehead, Demolition

MIKE FLANAGAN, chairman of Oldham Town Centre Partnership, has promised a bigger and better Retails Awards next year following what he described the huge success of the inaugural venture.

 

 Hosting a national pilot on behalf of Skillsmart Retail, Oldham held its first awards ceremony at the Liquid Nightclub,  Retiro Street — an event attended by more than 50 retailers.

 

More than 65 retailers, plus market traders, took part in the exercise, which involved two visits to each premises by a mystery shopper.

 

This information was set against intelligence collated by Skillsmart Retail, a national organisation dedicated to improving the country's retail outlets, and a panel of judges produced the winners.

 

· First impressions: Winner Greenwood Menswear, Henshaw Street. Runners-up Skidmores Cycles, Union Street; Arch Fur­niture, Yorkshire Street; Enchanting Times, Manchester Chambers.

 

· In-store presentation: Winner Skidmores Cycles, owner Mr Nasim Khan. Runners-up Zutti and Co, Yorkshire Street; Greenwood Menswear, Enchanting Times.

 

· In-store promotion: Winner Enchanting Times, owner Mr Chris Thomas from Lees. Runners-up Demolition, Yorkshire Street; Skidmores Cycles; Arch Furniture.

 

· Customer service: Winner Arch Furniture, owner Ms Rachael Burgoyne from Springhead. Runners-up John Clegg Opticians, Yorkshire Street; Sugar Retail, Henshaw Street; Zutti and Co.

 

Chris Thomas, who opened Enchanting Times, a magical and mystery store in Manchester Chambers on Christmas Eve last year, was handed a special prize for his enterprise and effort. The judges were impressed by the dedication of the former miner and binman in forging a new career.

 

Nasim Khan, who took over the long-established Skidmores Cycles only 12 months ago, took the overall prize — a reward for his innovative approach to his new career. He was previously in the fast-food business.

 

Organised by the Oldham Town Centre Partnership and the Oldham section of Greater Manchester Chamber, the awards were also sponsored by Liquid Nightclub.

 

Town centre manager Mark Lester, who was praised for his effort in making the awards happen, is hopeful that more retailers will take part next year.

 

Sarah Fischer, from Skillsmart Retail, is convinced that Oldham's effort will prove a template for the rest of the country.

 

Trophies were presented by Councillor Ann Wingate, the Deputy Mayor of Oldham.

OLDHAM EVENING CHRONICLE (Business Page)