A MARKET town has celebrated its status as a great place to shop with its first retail awards.

The inaugural Darlington Retail Awards were presented at a glittering ceremony in front of a 300-strong audience at the town’s Dolphin Centre.

The stars of Darlington’s retail sector were honoured at the event, sponsored by The Cornmill Shopping Centre, Darlington Town Centre Traders’ Association, Darlington Borough Council and The Northern Echo.

Organisers received 115 entries for the 11 categories and the judges said: “We had some extremely difficult decisions to make, the quality of the entries was very high and the experiences we had in the town centre were first class.”

John Coxon, chairman of the traders’ association, said: “We were thrilled with the event and we all want it to go from strength to strength in future years.”

Darlington Borough Council leader Councillor John Williams added: “This is an important addition to the Darlington events calendar. It’s been a great night.”

■ Compere for the evening was Peter Barron, Editor of The Northern Echo.

Roll of Honour

● Hairdresser of the Year Finalists: Era 21 Plus, Indulgence, Diva, Acquaintance.

WINNER: Diva

● Service provider of the Year Finalists: 19 Marketing, Shopwatch, Visual Photography.

WINNER: Shopwatch

● Customer Service Experience of the Year.

Finalists: Leggs, Yorkshire Linen Co, Coopers tea Room, Specsavers.

WINNER: Yorkshire Linen Co

● Retail Person of the Year.

Finalists: Greenwoods – Barbara Cheesmond, Health Warehouse – Janet Thompson, Specsavers – Claire Dawson, House of Fraser – Sharon Brocklebank.

WINNER: Claire Dawson

● Homeware Supplier of the Year

Finalists: Boyes, Origins, Cooks and Kitchens.

WINNER: Cooks and Kitchens

● Independent Retailer of the Year

Finalists: Voodoo Cafe, Singer Sewing Centre, Bliss Gifts.

WINNER: Bliss Gifts

● Fashion Retailer of the Year Finalists: Biba@House of Fraser, Ted Baker@House of Fraser, Leggs.

WINNER: Leggs

● National Retailer of the Year

Finalists: Argos, Next, New Look.

WINNER: Next

● Hospitality of the Year

Finalists: House of Fraser (2nd-Floor Restaurant), Coopers Tea Room, Scholars.

WINNER: House of Fraser (2nd Floor Restaurant)

● Market Stall of the Year Finalists: Julie’s HMD Floristry, JJ Blair and Sons, Premier Pets, Dress Fabrics.

WINNER: Julie’s HMD Floristry

● Shooting Star of the Year Finalists: Hannah Dent Noble – Leggs, Samantha Dennis – New Image – Emma Wall – The Health Warehouse.

WINNER: Hannah Dent Noble, of Leggs