Last night saw the HullBID Awards taking place at Hull Truck Theatre, honouring city centre businesses which go above and beyond to make Hull a great place to live, work and visit.

We had hundreds of nominations in and an independent judging panel had a tough job whittling them down to a shortlist in each category, let alone choosing a winner from so many worthy entries.

But, choose they did, and the winners were (in order of presentation):

• Safe City Award – Gary Dixon (Hull City Safe).
  Shortlisted – Karl Jackson (Boots the Chemist) and St Stephen’s Security Team (St Stephen’s Shopping Centre)
• Pavement Pride Award – Burstalls Solicitors
  Shortlisted – Chinese Laundry and Yorkshire Linen
• Outstanding Employee or Team Award – Holiday Inn Express, Hull City Centre
  Shortlisted – Deichmann Shoes and HMV
• Best Business Start-Up Award – Gym 24 Seven
  Shortlisted – Heaven Independent Cafe and The Brief
• Community Spirit Award – Hudgell Solicitors
  Shortlisted – New Look and Princes Quay
• Outstanding Business Development Award – The Hull Pie
  Shortlisted – Go Dutch Pancake House and Oscars Bar
• City Ambassador Award – Claire Suggitt (Princes Quay)
  Shortlisted – Sue Dickinson (Chak and Sue’s Fruit Stall) and Niccolas Irvin (Hull Trinity Hostel)
• Service With A Smile Award – Nisa Local, Hull Central
  Shortlisted – Heaven Independent Cafe and Minerva

Guests enjoyed a drinks reception and buffet in the upper foyer, serenaded by some jazz music from Gary Gillyett on guitar and Warren Jolly on bass.

This was followed by a set from comedian Kevin Precious in the studio theatre, before it wa son to the awards themselves, expertly hosted by Neil Hodgkinson (editor of the Hull Daily Mail) and Kathryn Shillito (city centre manager for HullBID). Closing remarks came from Jim Harris (HullBID chairman and St Stephen’s Shopping Centre manager).

Then, it was on to Vanilla cafe to celebrate all the shortlisted businesses with drinks and a buffet.

A great night was had by everyone concerned, and we are indebted to our sponsors - Hull Daily Mail, Hull Truck theatre, Princes Quay, St Stephen’s, Prospect Centre, First Transpennine Express, Bridge McFarland and Mercure Hull Royal Hotel – for all their support in making the 2015 HullBID Business Awards happen.