Type=image;ImageID=13359;ImageClass=left;ImageTitle=All the WIRE Award winners celebrate their success;TitleClass=strong;
Type=image;ImageID=13360;ImageClass=left;ImageTitle='Independent Retailer of the Year' award;TitleClass=strong;
Type=image;ImageID=13361;ImageClass=left;ImageTitle='Our Favourite Retailer of the Year';TitleClass=strong;
Type=image;ImageID=13362;ImageClass=left;ImageTitle=Apprentice or Trainee of the Year award;TitleClass=strong;
Businesses from across the city attended the sell out ceremony at Molineux Stadium's WV1 Suite, which played host to around 300 guests.
Eleven other awards were handed out, after 24 businesses were shortlisted from 140 that made 359 entries across all categories.
The awards were led by Wolverhampton Business Improvement District (BID) in partnership with the city council, and supported charity, Promise Dreams, on the night.
Glenn Jenkinson-Deakin, sales manager for Rudell the Jewellers in Darlington Street, said: "It feels wonderful for Rudell to be recognised as the top independent retailer in Wolverhampton.
"The Rudell family founded the business in 1938 and this award is testament to the quality we deliver to the people of Wolverhampton.
"We feel the WIRE Awards experience has brought the people and businesses of Wolverhampton together and improved the camaraderie in the city."
City of Wolverhampton Council Leader, Councillor Roger Lawrence, added: "The inaugural WIRE awards have been an outstanding success and will become an annual event in the calendar.
"We received more than 350 entries from 140 businesses across the 12 categories and the judges were overwhelmed by the number and the standard of entries received, especially as these awards are completely new to our city.
"It highlights the amazing diversity and quality of retail business in the area and how important it is that we celebrate and reward their success.
"I would like to congratulate all the winners for beating off some very stiff competition."
John Henn, Chair of Wolverhampton BID, added: "The WIRE Awards night was a fantastic celebration of our city's independent retailers.
"We saw an incredible range of strong applications, our sponsors whittled them down to finalists and it was tough to decide on the winners of each of the awards.
"Every business had an amazing story to tell about the hard work and dedication it has taken to make their business a reality and they all had a strong vision for their future.
"The celebrations gave us such a sense of pride in the businesses that give our city its identity.
"There is a real sense of pride returning to the city and we are very happy to continue supporting our city's entrepreneurs."
The aim of the awards is to celebrate and praise the entrepreneurial spirit, dedication and hard work of those involved in running and managing a successful independent business, as well as to recognise the loyalty and dedication of the staff that work in this sector.
The headline sponsor was the Mander Centre, Drinks Reception Sponsor was Wolverhampton Racecourse, Book of the Night sponsor was Meercat Associates, and the Venue Sponsor was Corporate Wolves and Venue Catering Partner.
The other winners and award sponsors were:
- Excellence in Customer Service - Party Angels, Cannock Road, sponsored by NCP
- Retail Personality of the Year - Yasmine Abdelaal, Nutmeg, Farmers Fold, sponsored by Ramada Park Hall Hotel
- Excellence in Staff Development - Rudell the Jewellers, Darlington Street, sponsored by Black Country Chamber of Commerce
- Apprentice or Trainee of the Year - Sarah Dean, ROOT 66 Hair Care, Hall Street, Bilston, sponsored by City of Wolverhampton Council
- Best Dressed Shop - Room by Room, Merridale Road, sponsored by Yarrington
- Hospitality & Leisure Business of the Year - A Park View Hotel, Park Road, sponsored by City of Wolverhampton College
- Community Retailer of the Year - Wild Bytes Café & Lounge, Darlington Street, sponsored by BCRS Business Loans
- Most Improved Business of the Year - Domino Crafts, Cleveland Street, sponsored by Wolverhampton Partners in Progress
- New Business of the Year - Slater's Bar, Queen Street, sponsored by Wolverhampton BID
- Employee of the Year - Rupinder Kaur Singh, Blooms Menswear, Darlington Street, sponsored by Signal 107
- Our Favourite Retailer of the Year (voted by the public) - Batteries Not Included, Wulfrun Centre, sponsored by Express & Star
- released: Wednesday 19 July, 2017