Who's the most stylish Mackem? Shortlist announced for Retail and Style Awards

A West End star, glam mams and a city smokehouse are among those shortlisted for awards that celebrate Sunderland style and shops.
Sunderland born theatre star Ben ForsterSunderland born theatre star Ben Forster
Sunderland born theatre star Ben Forster

Superstar talent show winner Ben Forster, from Millfield, who is currently playing the lead role in Phantom of the Opera, is in the running to be crowned Most Stylish Mackem at the Retail and Style Awards,

Meanwhile, Holy Smokes in Park Lane is hoping to take the title of Best Up and Coming Business at a glittering ceremony which takes place on April 23.

Last Christmas' Frost VillageLast Christmas' Frost Village
Last Christmas' Frost Village
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Other nominees include the Frost Village in the Experience It Here award; Avenue designer children’s store in Olive Street in the Best Customer Service category and Sam’s Bar in Sunniside in the Most Stylish Bar section.

Voting is now open for the event, which brings together previous awards held by Sun FM and The Bridges.

As well as the presentation of awards, the night will include a three course dinner, fashion show and live entertainment from pop band Lawson, Brit Award nominee Izzy Bizu and Sunderland musician, The Lake Poets.

The event, which is being organised by Sun FM and the Bridges and supported by Sunderland BID, will showcase Sunderland’s leading businesses and individuals

Last Christmas' Frost VillageLast Christmas' Frost Village
Last Christmas' Frost Village

across 16 categories.

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“It’s fantastic to see so many and such a diverse range of companies represented in the awards,” said Ken Dunbar, chief executive of Sunderland BID.

“It highlights just how much choice there is in the city, from high street names to local people who have set up successful unique businesses.”

The shortlist was drawn up by a panel of judges and the nominees in the retail section of the awards will now be mystery shopped to choose the winners.

Last Christmas' Frost VillageLast Christmas' Frost Village
Last Christmas' Frost Village

Shortlisted nominees for the style section are now open to a public vote at www.sun- fm/rsawards16.

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Tickets for the event are £39 each and available via Eventbrite, from Sun FM reception in Hylton Riverside or from the Customer Service desk at the Bridges.

•Experience It Here Award

Frost Village

Last Christmas' Frost VillageLast Christmas' Frost Village
Last Christmas' Frost Village

Sunderland Pride

Chinese New Year

•Up and Coming Business

Frances and Marshall

The Little Waxing Company

Holy Smokes

Last Christmas' Frost VillageLast Christmas' Frost Village
Last Christmas' Frost Village

Katie’s Garden

•Manager Of The Year

Rita Richardson - Bon Marche

Harry Collinson Snr - Collinsons

•Employee of the Year

Paul Robson - Cycle World

Hollie Bowens - Bon Marche

•Best Customer Service

Pandora

Avenue

Katie’s Garden

Estrella

•Best Small Retailer

Cycle World

Barber and Whale

Serendipity

Collinsons Jewellers

•Best Medium Retailer

Pandora

Avenue

Beaverbrooks

Bon marche

•Best Large Retailer

Primark

Debenhams

Argos

River Island

•Most Stylish Mackem

Ben Forster

Dan Ward

Rachel Meadows

•Most Stylish Bar/Nightclub

Sam’s Bar

Port of Call

Poetic License

ttonic

•Most Stylish Restaurant

The Scullery

Holy Smokes

d’acqua

Dr feelgood

•Most Stylish Blogger

Lisa Guthrie

Sarah Jayne Adams

Kayleigh Falcus

Paul (sobs) Dobson

•The Salon Award

Frances Marshall

The Oraculum

Show Off

Sr4

•Crowd Pleaser Award

Sunniside Live

Jersey Boys at Sunderland Empire

The Frost Village

•Glam Mam

Paige Bennet

Annie Ridley

Jamie Harrison

•Made in Sunderland

Frankie and the Heartstrings

Make My Day Events

Mac Trust

The Mackem Dictionary