AN INDEPENDENT men’s fashion store was the big winner at Durham’s retail awards for the second year running.

Woven, based in The Gates shopping centre, won the Retailer of the Decade prize at the tenth annual Durham City Retail Awards last night (Wednesday, November 25), along with the Independent Retailer of the Year award and the Retail Person of the Year honour, which went to staff member Oliver Hayes.

The store’s success adds to that of last year, when it bagged the Retail Experience and Overall prizes.

Wove was founded by Chris Hayes, formerly co-owner of the fashion chain Van Mildert.

In 2012, Woven won the Independent Retailer and Overall Retailer awards and the following year it took the Promoting Your Business Award.

This year, judges commended Woven for its “outstanding customer service” and its all-round retail experience.

Twelve awards were handed out in all, after thousands of shoppers nominated their favourite city centre retailers for honours.

Bill’s Restaurant on Saddler Street won Restaurant of the Year and Overall Retailer of the Year, Ye Old Elm Tree pub on Crossgate scooped the Bar of the Year award and Waffley Good Company, on Elvet Bridge, bagged the Café of the Year title.

The awards were held at Ramside Hall Hotel last night (Wednesday), with a Golden Hollywood Ball theme, drinks reception, three-course dinner and live music. Broadcaster Peter Grant was the compere and the event attracted around 350 guests.

Richard Toynbee, centre manager at the Prince Bishops shopping centre, said: “We’re now in our tenth and sadly final year of the Durham City Retail Awards and the standard of entries always remains high, so it’s a major achievement for retailers to be nominated and it’s great to learn how passionate the people of Durham are about good customer service.”

The other winners were: Window of the Year: Moon Jewellery, Silver Street; Retail Experience of the Year: Hotter Shoes, Silver Street; Market Trader of the Year: Walker’s Fabrics; Small Retailer of the Year: Fizzylicious, The Gates; Large Retailer of the Year: Sally Salon, Prince Bishops.

After shoppers nominated their favourite retailers, the six most nominated entrants in each category were assessed by a “mystery shopper”. The overall winner was chosen by a panel of experts.