OUTSTANDING employees and innovative companies had their moment in the spotlight at the 2023 Solihull BID Excellence Awards.
The event shone a light on the up and coming town centre trainees and businesses leading innovation and customer service in a variety of sectors including retail, leisure, professional services, banking, technology and charity.
Winners celebrated in style as they were announced during the ceremony at voco St John’s.
Independent café The Woods were the big winners with the enchanting High Street venue took home the Hospitality and Leisure Venue of the Year award at the gala evening before winning the overall Outstanding Solihull Business of 2023.
Other winners at the Excellence Awards – kindly sponsored by Phoebus Software, Touchwood, Solihull Council, Veolia and Solihull College and University Centre – included the local St Alphege Neighbourhood Police who were named Outstanding Team of 2023.
Warwick Road-based Studio 7 Tattoos were crowned Best Independent Business, Best Customer Service went to Metro Bank and Touchwood claimed the Outstanding Corporate Social Responsibility Project prize.
Charles Yearwood – who worked on Solihull town centre’s doors at venues including Rosie’s, Popworld and The Masons Arms for over 30 years – was recognised with the Outstanding Contribution to the Town Centre award.
The Young Person of the Year award, named after former Solihull College Principal John Callaghan, who sadly passed away in 2021, went to John Lewis’ Jack Docker.
Melanie Palmer, chief executive of Solihull BID, said: “It was the perfect celebration for our talented businesses and employees. A brilliant night which showcased the amazing businesses community spirit having lots of fun.”
The independent judges for this year’s Excellence Awards were: Sir Nigel Thrift, chair of the Committee on Radioactive Waste Management and lead of the Solihull group of Deputy Lieutenants; Air Commodore Dr Marcia McLaughlin; Oli Hills, chief executive of Nonsensical; Alethea Fuller, deputy chief executive, West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner and Andy Cole, director for property, partnerships and media at the NEC Group.
Solihull BID Excellence Awards 2023
- Hospitality and Leisure Venue of the Year
Winner: The Woods
Highly Commended: Solihull Summer Fest
- Best Independent Business
Winner: Studio 7 Tattoos
Highly Commended: The Woods
- Best Customer Service
Winner: Metro Bank
Highly Commended: Mint Velvet
- The John Callaghan Award – Young Person of the Year
Winner: Jack Docker from John Lewis in Solihull
Highly Commended: Mitchell Watkins from Mell Square
- Outstanding Team of 2023
Winner: St Alphege Neighbourhood Policing Team
Highly Commended: John Lewis Solihull, the Health and Wellbeing Team
Highly Commended: HSBC
- Outstanding Corporate Social Responsibility Project
Winner: Touchwood
Highly Commended: Phoebus Software
- Outstanding Contribution to the Town Centre Winner: Charles Yearwood – head doorman of The Masons Arms
- Outstanding Solihull Business of 2023 Winner: The Woods
