Local businesses celebrated at the Liverpool BID Company Mystery Shop Awards

Liverpool’s businesses have been celebrated for their customer service at the annual Mystery Shop Awards.

Organised by Liverpool BID Company, the annual awards is now in its 12th year. A record-breaking 604 businesses were mystery shopped, from coffee shops to opticians, national retailers to independent restaurants. 

Recognising businesses across Independent and National Retailers, Accommodation, Hospitality, Leisure and Service Providers, the awards reflect a continued commitment to providing the famous Liverpool warm welcome. The night was hosted by The Guide Liverpool’s Jay Hynd.

The Mystery Shops are managed by Storecheckers. City centre businesses are visited and marked against a list of criteria to see how well they’re performing. The average approval rating in the city was 82%. 41 businesses achieved 100%. The winners and runners up each achieved over 95% approval. 

Results are based on businesses that achieved the highest score with a runner-up.

Winners included Chicken George, the popular butcher in St John’s as Independent Retailer, The Cavern Club in the Hospitality Pub & Bar category, Panoramic 34 in the Hospitality Restaurant and Hospitality category and Mattas International Foods in the As Voted by You, social media competition. Best Newcomer went to L’Aperitivo on Bold Street.  

Independent Retailer

Winner Chicken George (butchers in St John’s)

Runner-up Wongs Jeweller

Culture Venue

Winner Royal Court Liverpool

Runner-up St George’s Hall

Hospitality: Pub & Bar

Winner The Cavern Club

Runner-up Coopers

Hospitality: Restaurants and Hospitality

Winner Panoramic 34

Runner-up Tapas Revolution

Hospitality: Quick Service

Winner Upper Crust

Runner-up Costa Coffee (Ranelagh Street)

Best Serviced Accommodation 

Winner Quest Liverpool

Runner-up Staybridge Suites 

Best Hotel

Travelodge on Strand Street

Runner-up Central Station Hotel. 

Best Leisure Business

Winner Cashino

Runner-up Betfred (Ranelagh Street)

Service Provider

Winner Batty and Dexter Opticians

Runner-up RUSH

Best Newcomer

Winner L’Aperitivo

Runner-up Cheers Big Ears 

As Voted By You – Social Media Competition

Winner Mattas International Foods

Runner-up Ranelagh’s Tavern 

This year, the awards for best national retailer were divided into; Fashion and Footwear; Health, Beauty and Jewellery; Home, Lifestyle and Tech; Supermarket and Quick Service. 

National Retailer in Fashion & Footwear 

Winner Kurt Geiger in Metquarter

Runner-up Pavers of York 

Health, Beauty and Jewellery

Winner The Perfume Shop (St Johns)

Runner-up T-Nutrition

Home, Lifestyle and Tech 

Winner is Wilkinson Cameras

Runner-up o2

Supermarket and Quick Service 

Winner is Sainsburys Local on Castle Street 

Runner-up is Tesco Express on Skelhorne Street 

Four businesses were highly commended as Green Champions. They were LUSH, LEAF, St John’s Shopping Centre and Hotel Indigo. 

Jennina O’Neill, Chair of the Retail & Leisure BID says:

“A huge congratulations to our city centre businesses who have shown incredible strength and determination in the face of what continues to be a challenging time. These results truly show the commitment to customer service and delivering that warm welcome is a s strong as ever. As we head into Q4 and the crucial Christmas season, we can expect that enthusiasm for friendliness and service to continue. 

Liverpool city centre has shown its resilience this year and these results show that businesses are committed to maintaining their high standards of customer service.”

Find out more information about Liverpool BID Company here.