The Wakefield BID Awards is an annual event recognising the achievements and contributions of members and charities within the Wakefield Business Improvement District (BID) area.

These awards celebrate the excellence and innovation of local businesses, acknowledging their role in enhancing the economic vitality and community spirit of Wakefield.

The event brings together local enterprises, providing an opportunity for networking and fostering a sense of community among business owners and stakeholders in the area. The Awards Ceremony is renowned for its amazing atmosphere, making it a highlight of the business calendar in Wakefield.

Wakefield bid awards 2024 ceremony

FAQ

About the Wakefield BID Awards
  • What are the Wakefield BID Awards? The Wakefield BID Awards celebrate and recognise outstanding businesses and individuals within the Wakefield BID area who have made significant contributions to the local community and economy.

  • Who organises the Wakefield BID Awards? The Wakefield BID Awards are organised by the Wakefield Business Improvement District (BID).

  • When are the Wakefield BID Awards held? The awards are held annually. Specific dates for nominations and the awards ceremony are announced each year.

  • What are the categories for nominations? Categories may include Independent Business of the Year, New Business of the Year, Hospitality and Leisure Business of the Year, Community Organisation / Charity of the Year, Retail Business of the Year, Professional Service Business of the Year, Outstanding Contribution to the Town Centre, Employee of the Year, Manager of the Year, Shoppers Award and Business of the Year.

  • Who can nominate for the Wakefield BID Awards? Nominations are open to the public and businesses within the Wakefield BID district. Self-nominations are also accepted.

Sponsor the Wakefield BID Awards

We are looking for Sponsors at the Wakefield BID Awards, various packages are available, from general sponsor, to sponsoring an award etc. We can be flexible around your needs.

This could include your logo and/or business name on:

  • The Main Screen between during dinner / breaks. 
  • Announced on stage from our host.
  • Digital and Physical Banners at key points around Wakefield Cathedral. 
  • The Dinner Tables themselves.
  • Across our Website and Social media.
  • Articles printed in Local Press.

Get in touch with us at info@wakefieldbid.co.uk

Nominating for the Wakefield BID Awards
  • How do I nominate someone for a Wakefield BID Award? Nominations can be submitted online through the Wakefield BID website.

  • Can I nominate my own business for an award? Yes, self-nominations are welcome alongside nominations from customers, clients, or other businesses.

  • Is there a deadline for nominations? Yes, deadlines for nominations are announced annually. It is important to submit nominations by the specified date to be considered for the awards.

  • What should be included in a nomination? A nomination should include specific reasons why the individual or business deserves the award, highlighting achievements, contributions to the community, customer service excellence, etc.

  • What about the Shoppers Award? The Shoppers Award is unique in that it is determined by the Wakefield BID team who visit the High Street on random days and ask shoppers to vote for their favourite business. The business with the most votes from shoppers receives this award.
  • Are there any restrictions on who can be nominated? Nominees must be businesses or individuals operating within the Wakefield BID area, a member of Wakefield BID. This excludes the Community Organisation / Charity of Year and Outstanding Contribution to the Town Centre Award where anyone within or operated within the Wakefield BID area can be nominated. 

Judging for the Wakefield BID Awards
  • How are the winners of the Wakefield BID Awards determined? The judging process for the Wakefield BID Awards combines public participation and a judging panel. Initially, public votes contribute to the scores: businesses with more nominations receive higher points, while those with fewer nominations receive lower points.

  • What role does the judging panel play? Following public voting, a panel of independent judges evaluates the nominees based on additional criteria specific to each award category. The judges’ scores are then combined with the public vote scores. 

  • How are winners selected from the combined scores? The total combined scores from the public vote and the judging panel determine the winners. The top three nominees with the highest scores in each award category are selected as finalists. The finalist with the most votes will win the award. 

  • What is the Business of the Year award? The Business of the Year award goes to the business that accumulates the most votes across all award categories. It recognises overall excellence and achievement across various aspects of business performance and community contribution.

Advice for Businesses to Get More Nominations
  • How can businesses encourage more nominations?

    • Promote Your Nomination: Let your customers know that you can be nominated for an award and encourage them to vote for you.
    • Use Social Media: Share the how you can be nominated on your social media channels. Regular posts and stories can keep your followers engaged and motivated to nominate you.
    • Display Posters: Place posters in your business premises to inform and remind customers about the nominations.
    • Engage with Customers: Personally ask your loyal customers to support you by submitting a nomination.
  • What resources are available to help with promotion?

    • Downloadable Social Media Banners and Posters: Wakefield BID provides downloadable social media banners and posters that you can use to promote nominations. 

      Download
Attending the Wakefield BID Awards
  • How can I attend the Wakefield BID Awards ceremony? Attendance details and ticket information are announced closer to the event date. .

  • Can winners receive their awards if unable to attend the ceremony? Yes, arrangements can typically be made for winners to receive their awards if they are unable to attend the ceremony. Nominated businesses and/or people will be notified in advance.

Previous wakefield bid awards winners

2023 Winners

Best independent business

Winner : Wakefield Comics-616

Runner Ups: Rainbow Playrooms, and Wool n’ Stuff

Best NEW business

Winner : Fathers & Tails

Runner Ups: Recent Beans, and Watchworks

Best Daytime hospitality

Winner : Grind

Runner Ups: Joys, and Rassam’s Creamery

Best evening hospitality 

Winner : Estabulo

Runner Ups: Lobby 1896, and Theatre Royal

Best Retail business large

Winner : Clintons

Runner Ups: Waterstones, and Boots Opticians

Best Retail Business Medium

Winner : Reel Cinema

best retail business small

Winner : Recent Beans

Runner Ups: Morgana & Hellraiser, and My Eco Baby

Best community group / charity

Winner : Theatre Royal

Runner Ups: WH Retail, Turning Point, and Rhubarb Radio

BEST services Business

Winner : Althams Travel

Runner Ups: Vickers Carnley, and Mooi Aesthetics

Shoppers award

Winner : Scott Banks Hairdressers

Runner Ups: Feathers & Tails, and Mr Gees

2022 Winners

Best Independent Business

Winner: Jasmin Pottery Studio

Runner Ups : Little Westgate Florist, and My Eco Baby CC

Best New Business

Winner : Everything taken care of

Runner Ups: Wakefield Tailoring, and The Peoples Meeple Board Game Café

Best Daytime Hospitality

Winner: Create Café

Runner Ups: Marmalade on the Square, Vanilla Beans, and Bradleys

Best Evening Hospitality

Winner: Lobby 1867

Runner Ups: Counting House, and Host & Home

Best Retail Business-  Large

Winner: Waterstones

Runner Ups: New Look, and F Hinds

Best Retail – Medium

Winner: Bayfields Opticians

Runner Ups: Wakefield Hospice, and Reel Cinema

Best Retail Business – Small

Winner: Wakefield Comics

Runner Ups: Hidden Treasures, and My Eco Baby    

CommunityCharity

Winner: Second Chance

Runner Ups: FAB Families & Babies, and Theatre Royal  

Best Service Business

Winner: Helping Hands

Runner Ups: True Beauty, and Academy Care

2021 Winners

HOUSE/HOME

Winner – Richard Kendall Estate Agents

Runner Ups – Betty Loves Candles, and Wakefield Antiques 

HEALTH/LEISURE 

Winner – Reel Cinema

Runner Ups – Lush, and Jasmine Pottery

FASHION 

Winner – Frank Bird

Runner Ups – T.K.Maxx, and WH Retail

BEAUTY

Winners – Blades Barbershop, and Room 97 Creative 

Runner Ups – Laura’s Boutique

HOSPITALITY

Winner – Supper Club

Runner Ups – Rubylou’s & TET Restaurant 

SERVICES 

Winner – Red Rock Partnership

Runner Ups – True Beauty Academy Training, and Transform Images

INDEPENDENT RETAIL

Winner – Morgana and Hellraiser

Runner Ups – Wakefield Comics, and So Wood Timbercraft 

BEST NEW BUSINESS

Winner – RBT Video 

Runner Ups – Throwback Coffee House, and Casa Peri Peri

COMMUNITY AWARD

Winner – My Eco Baby

Runner Ups – Wakefield Cathedral Kitchen, and Caffe Noor

OVERALL AWARD

Winner – KRA:FT

Runner Ups – Caffe Noor, and The Body Shop / Lee Fall