Last night we joined over 800 people from across the grocery and convenience retail industry at the Grosvenor House to celebrate and reward retail excellence.

Award winning comedian Dominic Holland hosted the evening and had us all in fits of laughter as he spoke about his own success having been surpassed by that of his 21 year-old son, Tom, who is the star of Marvel’s latest blockbuster, Spider-Man: Homecoming. He told us that he has four sons and whilst he shouldn’t really have a favourite, he said Tom was definitely his favourite. With so many great retailers nominated for awards you can imagine the task for judges must at times have felt like trying to pick your favourite child! But the winners were chosen, over 30 of them, and each had their moment in the spotlight after we enjoyed a delicious three course gala dinner.

In the community retailer category, Cordners Comber Road, Spar, Dundonald, Belfast won best independent and Blakemore Retail won best multiple. Store manager of the year (independents) went to Mark Gore, Spar Rocket Supermarket, Bolton, Greater Manchester and Michelle Davies, Spar Bentley, Willenhall, West Midlands won in the multiples category. Drinks retailer of the year (independents) went to J Robarts & Son, Costcutter, Codicote, Hertfordshire and Co-op won for the multiples. Forecourt retailer of the year went to another independent retailer in Ireland this time to Eurospar Creightons of Balmoral, Belfast. And Eurospar Glenwell, Newtownabbey, Belfast won best company owned forecourt retailer, demonstrating that Ireland really is leading the way in forecourt retailing excellence.

Convenience retailer of the year went to the Co-op. There were four size categories in the independent retailer of the year award which went to Simply Fresh (up to 1,200 sq ft), Nisa Local Fletton (1,202-2,999 sq ft), Euro Spark Creightons, Belfast (3,000-6,000 sq ft) and Warners Budgens, Moreton in Marsh (over 6,000 sq ft).

Symbol/Fascia Group of the Year went to Spar and the supermarket of the year went to Aldi. A full list of winners from all the categories can found here.

Celebrations and dancing continued well into the small hours thanks to a floor-filling performance from a brilliant George Michael tribute act.

Congratulations to all the winners and well done to the team at Metropolis for putting on yet another fantastic awards.