The best small businesses in Newcastle-under-Lyme – as voted for by members of the public – have been named.
Organised by Newcastle-under-Lyme BID, the LoveNUL Business Awards ceremony took place on Friday night after 600 nominations were made and 6,000 votes cast, beating last year’s numbers.
Accolades were given out in 11 categories with a Lifetime Achievement Award presented to Shaws Fish and Chips, on High Street, which has been trading for over 120 years and was described as a ‘business woven into Newcastle’s story.’
Speciality coffee shop Piccoloco, which has just opened a second branch at Keele in Town, won Spirit of Newcastle-under-Lyme (Business) with praise on the night stating: “Piccoloco shows how independents add energy and pride to the town centre.”
Janet Lowe, from McDonald’s, took the title of Spirit of Newcastle-under-Lyme (Person) after nominations described her as ‘always smiling, friendly and helpful.’
The full list of winners is:
Independent Business of the Year Award – Divinity Studio
Hospitality Business of the Year Award – The Little Vic
Professional Services Award – Specsavers
Market/Trader of the Year Award – Independent Street
Customer Service Award – The Hair House
Visitor Attraction of the Year Award – Brampton Museum
Community Project of the Year Award – Peter Pan Centre
New Business of the Year Award – Hurricane Gaming
Spirit of Newcastle-under-Lyme Business – Piccoloco
Spirit of Newcastle-under-Lyme Person – Janet Lowe from McDonald’s
Lifetime Achievement Award – Shaws Chippy.
The awards ceremony was held at the NSCG Performing Arts Centre with more than 180 guests in attendance.
The evening was hosted by BID Co-Chair Jane Tunnicliff and broadcaster and presenter Dan Townley, with IronMarket Wealth as the headline sponsor.
BID Manager Charl Pearce said: “The LoveNUL Business Awards are all about celebrating the people behind the businesses, the often-unsung heroes who keep our town moving forward. It was fantastic to see the community come together and to feel the energy in the room.
“What makes these awards so special is the range of organisations recognised, from those improving health and wellbeing, to those driving retail, hospitality and culture.
“It was wonderful to see Jess from Divinity Studio Yoga & Pilates take home Independent Business of the Year, recognising her commitment to promoting wellbeing; the team at Specsavers on Castle Walk, who were praised for their professional, friendly and life-changing optical care and the Peter Pan Centre, whose dedication to supporting children with additional needs and their families earned them Community Project of the Year. These stories represent the very best of Newcastle-under-Lyme, businesses and people who truly make a difference.”
Other sponsors included Staffordshire Chambers of Commerce, Keele University, Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council and University of Staffordshire.
