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Stars of the city centre
Retailers across Sunderland are celebrating after picking up a whole range of honours at the city's first ever Retail Awards.
More than 250 guests attended the event at the weekend at the Stadium of Light to see who picked up the coveted gongs, in an event organised by Sunderland City Council.
Winners ranged from small independent outlets to major high street names who were chosen in a number of categories, including in five which came directly from nominations by the public.
But the real winner on the night was the city's Joplings store which scooped three of the major awards.
Coun Paul Watson, Lleader of Sunderland City Council, presented a number of awards on the night and said he was "delighted and honoured to give the welcome address at The Sunderland City Centre Retail Awards 2010".
"The awards are an excellent opportunity to recognise and celebrate Sunderland city centre's outstanding local retailers and the service they give to their customers," he said.
"As leader of the council I am really proud of what this city has to offer and the excellent customer service that this city has become known for.
"This is clearly valued by customers and readily available in our excellent retail sector and our huge choice of caf, bars and restaurants.
"The retail sector is and will continue to be of vital importance to us in the city centre here in Sunderland; the present and future prosperity of our community is inextricably linked with the future success of our city centre businesses and the local economy.
"Not only because of the jobs it creates but also because it contributes to our reputation amongst those who live here and visitors to our city, that Sunderland is a great place to spend time and money.
"That's why the City Council, working with partners, has invested in a programme of practical support including business advice and marketing, to support our local retailers in these challenging times. We are also launching a council-wide 'Buy in Sunderland First' campaign – to promote to our own staff – local suppliers, goods and services.
"And we are also continuing to make significant investment in the City Centre over the next year, to further support the city centre's regeneration and local businesses."
Sunderland City Council's city centre manager, Louise Hardy, who organised the event said it had been a huge success.
"It was an excellent evening with well deserved awards going to our retail stars," she said.
"We are very grateful to everyone who helped make the evening such a success, especially Sunderland Arc and Sunniside Partnership.
"The Retail Awards night marks the start of a major Sunderland initiative to celebrate our retail staff and offer, and raise the standards of our customer service, and I'm sure that our shoppers will notice the improvements in their shopping experience when they visit the city centre."
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Weather for Sunderland
Thursday 24 May 2012
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: 10 C to 19 C
Wind Speed: 10 mph
Wind direction: North east
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: 8 C to 18 C
Wind Speed: 12 mph
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