The finalists for the Hereford BID 2017 Business Awards

The finalists will be featured in a special supplement in next week's Hereford Times. 

The winner in each category will be announced at an awards ceremony at the Shire Hall on October 5. 

Below are the shortlisted BID members in each category: 

Independent Business of the Year

BBR Optometry Ltd

bbroptometry.co.uk

@BBROptometry

Marbury House, 38, St Owen Street

BBR Optometry Ltd is the only remaining independent optometry practice in Hereford city. They have worked tirelessly to upgrade and upskill their clinical services so that they are the port of call for both first and second opinions on all aspects of eye health.

Fodder

@fodderhereford

26-27 Church Street

Fodder is a vegan and vegetarian health food store which specialise in organic and local food products, gluten free products, health supplements, herbal remedies, toiletries and skin care. Good customer service, extensive product knowledge and a friendly, relaxed shopping environment all go together to create the Fodder brand.

The Kup-cake Kitchen Café

31, Union Street

A champagne, coffee and cupcake boutique which specialises in cupcakes and occasion cakes, which are baked daily on the premises by a small team. Also offers vintage tea set hire for weddings and other special occasions, outside/inside catering, venue hire and party planning.

Hotel, Restaurant, Pub or Café of the Year

The Beefy Boys

thebeefyboys.com

@thebeefyboys

Old Market Shopping Centre

The Meat Boutique is The Beefy Boys’ first permanent restaurant specialising in burgers, beers and cocktails. The four Hereford friends set up the restaurant after a series of pop-up events and after taking the title of second Best Burger in The World at The World Burger Championships.

Burger Shop Hereford and The Bookshop

aruleoftum.com

@aruleoftum

32, Aubrey Street

A Rule of Tum has two restaurants in Hereford- Burger Shop and The Bookshop Steak + Bar. The best seasonal, local ingredients are used to create burgers and The Bookshop serves a concise steak menu using grass-fed Herefordshire beef and serves a Sunday lunch.

The Kup-cake Kitchen Café

31, Union Street

A champagne, coffee and cupcake boutique which specialises in cupcakes and occasion cakes, which are baked daily on the premises by a small team. Also offers vintage tea set hire for weddings and other special occasions, outside/inside catering, venue hire and party planning.

National Retailer of the Year

Waitrose

waitrose.com/hereford

@waitrose

Old Market Shopping Centre

Waitrose supermarket offers a wide choice of quality, excellent value food and drink, with a range of counters and services designed to make shopping a pleasure. It has been at the shopping centre since it opened and has donated over £12,000 to local good causes.

Wilko Retail Ltd

wilko.com

@LoveWilko

53, Maylord Shopping Centre

Wilko is a national retailer with more than 400 shops that is passionate about providing excellent products at the right prices in the heart of every community. Wilko provides a helping hands scheme which offers donations and help to local events and charities. 

Specsavers

specsavers.co.uk

@specsavers

12, Maylord Street

Specsavers Hereford is part of a national chain of opticians that is instantly recognisable on any high street countrywide. They are often the first name people think of when it comes to eye tests or glasses.

Best Presented Award

The Kup-cake Kitchen Café

31, Union Street

A champagne, coffee and cupcake boutique which specialises in cupcakes and occasion cakes, which are baked daily on the premises by a small team. Also offers vintage tea set hire for weddings and other special occasions, outside/inside catering, venue hire and party planning.

Pritchards Menswear

pritchards.co.uk

@Pritchards

9, King Street

Established in 1836, Pritchards is the fifth generation of the same family to be in Hereford, one of few retail businesses to still carry the family name. The shop sells a range of menswear clothing and accessories and also sells its own label tailoring and offers a made to measure service.

Tanners Wines Ltd

tanners-wines.co.uk/hereford/

@TannersHereford

4, St Peter’s Square

Tanners is a multi-award-winning wine merchant based in the Welsh Marches, with branches in Shrewsbury, Hereford, Bridgnorth, Chester, Welshpool and Llandudno. Tanners also sells wine by mail-order throughout the UK. Tanners Hereford stocks a huge range of wines, plus spirits and a very popular array of local beers and ciders.

Outstanding Contribution to the City

Hereford Cathedral

herefordcathedral.org

@HFDCathedral

College Cloisters, Cathedral Close

Hereford Cathedral has been a beacon for the city since its original founding around 676. There is a diverse programme of activity, much of which is provided free to all but with elements, such as the Mappa Mundi and Chained Library exhibition, having an entrance fee. 

Hereford River Carnival

rivercarnival.org.uk

@WyeCarnival

River Wye

The River Carnival as it is today revived an old tradition dating back to the 1960s. Prior to 2014 when a team of volunteers brought it back, the last River Carnival in Hereford took place in 1973. Since it was revived it has thrived and this year welcomed 15,000 visitors on the Saturday and 3,000 on the Friday night.

Rural Concierge

rural-concierge.co.uk

@RuralConcierge

Butter Market, High Town

Rural Concierge aims to support and promote rural tourism attractions, activities and events taking place in the area through creating a number of exclusive guided tours, overnight stays and days out for groups, clubs or individuals. 

Putting Hereford on the Map

The Creative Ageing Team at The Courtyard

courtyard.org.uk

@CourtyardArts

Edgar Street

The Creative Ageing Team at The Courtyard have become well known across the country for the work which they do with older people, particularly those living with dementia. Not only have they been able to set up networks and projects across Herefordshire but they have also received national recognition.

Hereford Indie Food

herefordindiefood.com

@HerefordFood

Berrington Street

A community-driven project promoting food culture, chefs, producers, makers and farmers in Herefordshire. The first festival was held in 2016 and the second festival over the August Bank Holiday weekend this year was a huge success.

Rural Concierge

rural-concierge.co.uk

@RuralConcierge

Butter Market, High Town

Rural Concierge aims to support and promote rural tourism attractions, activities and events taking place in the area through creating a number of exclusive guided tours, overnight stays and days out for groups, clubs or individuals. 

Employee of the Year

Amanda Holden at Escape Hair Salon

escapesalonhereford.co.uk

@Hair_by_escape

9, Church Street

Amanda first came to Escape on one-week’s work experience from school. She left such a good impression that they offered her a full time position on leaving school. She is now a senior stylist. Amanda has been a wonderful member of staff to not only train but also work alongside.

Martin Lewis at Gordon Bennetts

@gordonbennetts1

8, St Peter’s Square

Martin has been with Gordon Bennetts since its very beginning.  Martin was an integral part of the small team that carried out the extensive renovations to the building prior to its opening in September 2016 and continues to be a committed and loyal member of the Gordon Bennetts team.  

Lucy Shepherd-Davies at Specsavers Hereford

specsavers.co.uk

@specsavers

12, Maylord Street

Lucy is one a contact lens opticians and is an exemplary member of the team. Lucy provides outstanding customer service and is a pillar that supports not only the contact lens department but everyone within Specsavers Hereford. 

Employer of the Year

BBR Optometry Ltd

bbroptometry.co.uk

@BBROptometry

Marbury House, 38, St Owen Street

BBR Optometry Ltd is the only remaining independent optometry practice in Hereford city. They have worked tirelessly to upgrade and upskill their clinical services so that they are the port of call for both first and second opinions on all aspects of eye health.

School Uniform Shop

schooluniformhereford.co.uk

St Peter’s Street

An all-ethical supplier of school uniform. The shop team is motivated by the fact they have raised considerable sums for overseas projects, and they also know that locally the shop supports children’s school uniform when their parents are unable to afford it.

Specsavers

specsavers.co.uk

@specsavers

12, Maylord Street

Specsavers Hereford is part of a national chain of opticians that is instantly recognisable on any high street countrywide. They are often the first name people think of when it comes to eye tests or glasses.

Customer Service Award

The Courtyard

courtyard.org.uk

@CourtyardArts

Edgar Street

The Courtyard Centre for the Arts is the leading arts provider in Herefordshire and a registered charity. There is a 400-seat main house, a 120-seat studio theatre, rehearsal rooms, a gallery, meeting spaces and an award-winning cafe bar.

Elle Martin Hair Salon

ellemartinhairsalon.co.uk

38, Church Street

Since opening in Church Street in April 2016, Elle Martin Hair Salon has been 100 per cent dedicated to outstanding customer service. Considerable investment facilitated the creation of a beautiful French boutique-style hair salon. 

Specsavers

specsavers.co.uk

@specsavers

12, Maylord Street

Specsavers Hereford is part of a national chain of opticians that is instantly recognisable on any high street countrywide. They are often the first name people think of when it comes to eye tests or glasses.