Elgin BID announces top of the shops for 2020
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ELGIN BID last night announced its 2020 Business Award winners in what has been a make-or-break year for many local traders.
Proceedings took a different turn this pandemic year as the winners and finalists, decided by public vote, were announced over a Zoom ceremony after its AGM on Wednesday, October 28.
Winners included the long-established FP Birnie Pet Shop on Elgin’s High Street, which has had a 70-year presence in the town, and high-end stationery retailer Pencil Me In on Batchen Street.
Newcomers to make the shortlist included local tech company iFix Phone Repair, which has a bright new shop on Batchen Street.
Gemma Cruickshank presided over her first awards since becoming Elgin BID manager in August. She said: "We had 10 award categories with eight being voted by the public and two being chosen by independent judges through nominations from the public.
"This was my very first Elgin BID Business awards which were held via Zoom where we had around 30 attend. It was very strange but we hope next year we can be back to normality and holding our awards night in person.
"It was great to see how much engagement we got from the public and supporting their favourite businesses even considering the challenges faced this year.
"The businesses have faced probably their most difficult year to date but their determination, creativity and perseverance in difficult circumstances has been inspiring to see and showcases the fantastic offering we have in Elgin.
"The Elgin BID Business Awards highlights the efforts our local business have gone to to provide our city and to continue to make it great."
This year’s Community Champion award-winner Richard Cumming (39), co-owner of Sirology on Batchen Street, said it had been an incredibly tough year for all local businesses and issued a warning to local shoppers that it was a case of "use it or lose it".
However, Richard, who stepped down as Elgin BID chairman this year, said there were many reasons to be hopeful. He said: "There is so much in Elgin to be proud of and we are all working together to celebrate what we do have to offer.
"We get a lot of customers from outwith Elgin who comment on how much they love the place and its shops."
Richard led a campaign against parking charges this year and has been a passionate promoter of Elgin as a shopping destination.
He was modest about his award, however, saying: "I don’t really see myself as a community champion – but maybe I’m just more vocal than other people.
"There are many other really passionate folk in Elgin who weren't nominated who really should have been. But I’m really chuffed and it’s nice to get the recognition."
Richard added that social media sites such as Moray Shop Local on Facebook were also playing a key role in supporting the region’s shops, craftspeople and services.
Winners and finalists:
Hospitality and Tourism
Winner: The Ditsy Teacup
Runners-up: Batchen Street Coffee; Highland Baked Potato
Local Professional Services
Winner: Mortgage Advice Bureau
Runners-up: Grigor and Young; Santander
National Banking
Winner: Royal Bank of Scotland
Runners-up: Clydesdale Bank; Santander
Hair, Beauty and Fitness
Winner: LCTG
Runners-up: Kenneth’s Hairstylists; South Street Dental Practice
Retail
Winner: Pencil Me In
Runners-up: Alluring Boutique; Mountain Warehouse
Charity and Support
Winner: Elgin Youth Café
Runners-up: Moray Mental Health & Wellness Centre; British Red Cross
Long Established Business Award
Winner: FP Birnie Pet Shop
Runners-up: JC Dawson; Sound & Vision
David Urquhart New Business Award
Winner: 19 Crepes & Coffee
Runners-up: Badenoch’s; ifix Phone Repair
Ian Widdowson Individual Customer Service Award
Winner: Kym Laxy, Mortgage Advice Bureau
Runners-up: Jock Christie, Mountain Warehouse; Kathleen Shanks, The Little Lunchbox
Elgin Community Champion
Winner: Richard Cumming
Runners-up: Barry Weiland-Jarvis; David Young
