CITY CENTRE businesses were last night celebrating success at the Dundee Retail Awards 2009.

This year’s event, hosted by comedian Craig Hill at the Hilton Hotel, was the climax to months of nominations from businesses followed by short-listing by independent judges.

Thousands of Dundee shoppers then voted for their favourites in eight categories.

City centre manager Lorna McKenzie said, “It’s great to see so many consumers taking the time to vote for their favourite retailer, eating place or employee.”

For the third year running National Retailer of the Year went to Borders.

Independent Retailer of the Year went to Groucho’s for the second year in a row.

The next two categories celebrated the diversity of Dundee’s eateries, both sponsored by Dundee College Targeting Tourism.

Eating Place of the Year in a Fine Dining/Restaurant Environment again went to Dundee Rep Theatre Cafe, and Eating Place of the Year in a Cafe/Public House Environment went to Chambers Coffee House.

Guests were then dazzled by a Dundee College fashion show—final year design students put on a catwalk event, further demonstrating the creativity in Dundee.

Michelle Beer of the Greenroom beauty salon was crowned Employee of the Year for her professionalism and flair.

The Community Award, for businesses who give something back to the community, went to Peacocks.

The penultimate award of the evening, Newcomer of the Year, went to Missy La La’s Boutique.

The final award was the Consumers’ Retailer of the Year Award, and is the only one decided by the public vote alone, with no input from the judges’ panel.

For the second year running Peacocks scooped the award, beating a huge list of competitors.

City Centre Action Group chairman Peter Leyland said, “The levels of innovation demonstrated by all of the businesses who put themselves forward for the awards are simply outstanding.”

Our picture shows (from left) Evelyn Wood of sponsors Dundee College, Nick Wright of the Dundee Rep Theatre Cafe and Craig Hill.