The Awards are an opportunity to celebrate all that is great about Lerwick Town Centre and recognise those individuals and businesses who make an extra effort to provide a quality and memorable experience for local residents and visitors to the area.
The list of award categories are:
- Health and Beauty Business of the Year
- Hospitality Business of the Year
- Professional Service Business of the Year
- Retailer of the Year
- New Business of the Year
- Lerwick Town Centre Champion
As well as sector categories, customers will have the chance to vote for their favourite new business, with ‘New Business of the Year’ covering all businesses opening in the town centre in the 18 months up to the vote deadline (from September 2024).
The Lerwick Town Centre Champion Award will be individual nominations for those who have provided excellent customer service, ongoing dedication to serving the public, or who’s contribution to the town centre experience generally is recognised as outstanding.
All business in the area will be eligible for their respective categories and online voting forms will include tick box selections for voter convenience and choice.
Voting is open now and will continue for eight weeks until Friday 6th March. A presentation ceremony will be held on Friday 20th March for all Living Lerwick members where the winners will be announced. The top nominees in each category will be announced publicly prior to the event.
Living Lerwick Chair, Steve Mathieson, said “We have an incredible range of businesses in our town centre, providing a fantastic variety of goods and services to our local community and visitors to our islands. New businesses are opening all the time, and we have some who have been successfully trading for over 100 years – our town centre has a very unique charm and we are very lucky to have such an active commercial centre.
“These awards are designed to celebrate the efforts of the hundreds of people who work hard every day to help make our town a welcoming place. From the hospitality offered to tens of thousands of visitors every year; the sponsorship and support given to local community groups; the daily service provision, customer care and goods supplied – we invite you to share your appreciation for our local businesses.
“Living Lerwick would also like to thank Lerwick Port Authority who are sponsoring these awards and supporting the recognition of the hard work that town centre businesses put in to providing an attractive and inclusive town centre.”
Lerwick Port Authority Chief Executive, Captain Calum Grains, commented, “Having a strong town centre so close to the port, we see every day how important local businesses are to creating a welcoming and resilient community. The town centre supports the island’s economy and brings people together. Seeing the street busy and vibrant is always encouraging. We are pleased to recognise the commitment, hard work and cooperation shown by everyone involved throughout the year in sponsoring this year’s awards.”
Lerwick Port Authority will present the award for the Town Centre Champion at the awards ceremony in March.
The Living Lerwick social channels and website will be updated regularly with stories and blogs about the different business sectors, individual services and reminders on how to vote for your favourite in the coming weeks.
Votes can be cast online HERE until Friday 6th March. Votes can also be cast by emailing nominations for each category to [email protected] or by picking up a paper voting form from businesses.
With thanks to Lerwick Port Authority for sponsoring these awards.
