Ashton Independent Retail Awards

The Winners 2021

 

During May and June Ashton Town Team were encouraging shoppers to nominate their favourite independent businesses for the Ashton Independent Business Awards 2021 sponsored by Bromleys Solicitors LLP.  Once the top 3 nominated businesses had been selected is was upto this years judges to select a winner in each category.

Judges for this year’s awards included Nigel Skinner (Chair) editor at the Tameside Reporter, Ben Goodwin the Manager at Barclays Bank and returning judges Luke Mirfin from Tameside Markets and Jackie Moores, Principal from Tameside College.

Tameside Reporter editor Nigel Skinner said: “It was an almost impossible task for the judges, with some fabulous nominations regarding levels of service and custom. But not least because so many independent businesses have gone above and beyond throughout this last year to take those services to another level on behalf of customers who needed them most.

“The winners truly deserve their accolades after much deliberating by the judges – but congratulations must go to all those nominated and gratitude to all their customers who took the time to nominate them for the awards.”

Jackie Moores returned for her second year on the panel and said “I am very honoured to have been a judge for the Ashton Town Team Awards. It was a tough job to select winners in each category owing to the very high quality of the applications. I am proud to be a Tameside resident and to have access to great businesses in Ashton from a wide range of sectors.  After a tough couple of years during the pandemic and having to move to online shopping, I am glad to be back to buying local from excellent suppliers and retailers. I hope all Tameside residents take the opportunity to send business to our ‘Town Team Winners’. As a college, we try wherever possible to use local suppliers to support the local economy in Tameside.  #BuyLocal  #ExcellenceOnYourDoorstep “

Tameside Markets Luke Mirfin was also pleased to be back on the judging panel “The Ashton Town Team Awards have shown what a quality and diverse range of local businesses are available in Ashton Town Centre.. Well done to all businesses and thank you to you the shopper for shopping local and supporting our local businesses.”

Another newcomer to the panel for 2021 was Ben Goodwin “It was amazing to be a part of these fantastic awards, it was incredible to hear about all the fantastic businesses that are spread right across Ashton Town centre. It really highlights both the passion for local enterprise but also what an amazing town Ashton is to visit. I really hope these awards will encourage more people to explore every part of Ashton!

Congratulations to all the finalists, picking winners proved to be really difficult!”.

So here we have the final results for each of the categories:

Café/Takeaway Winner –

 

Tarps Filipino Fusion

 

Fashion & Footwear Winner –

 

New Shu 

 

Fresh Food Retail Winner-

 

Fruits & Roots 

 

Hair, Health & Beauty Winner –

 

Dionnes Hair Salon 

Market Trader Winner –

 

Wendy & Mandy’s cafe 

 

Jewellers Winner –

 

Argenti Jewellers

 

Restaurant Winner –

Lilly’s Patisserie & Bistro 

Specialist Retail Winner –

All Things Unique 

 

Games, Computers & Technology Winner

Rewind Computers

Flowers, Cards & Gifts Winner

Cards Galore 

The Ashton Town Team Special Award

Harrington & Hallworth

Kevin Taylor, Chair of Ashton Town Team, thanked the judges and sponsor Bromleys for their support and added “Our small independent businesses have had a difficult 18 months and still face further challenges ahead. I encourage everyone to shop local where they can to support our town centres in Tameside because local traders appreciate every customer.”  Kevin was also delighted to announce the winners of this years Special Award from the Town Team. “ We are delighted that the Deputy Mayor, Councillor Michael Glover,  Civic Mayor, Councillor Janet Cooper and Consort Mr Dennis Fitzpatrick joined us in recognising one of Ashton’s well known businesses with our Special Award being presented to Harrington & Hallworth. The Town Team send huge congratulations to Alf, Peter and the team on being recognised this year for their contribution to the town centre.”