Value for money wins the day at Which? Awards
09 June 2009
A restaurant located in a shopping precinct and a family-run butcher were today named by Which? as winners of top consumer awards, alongside well-known names such as BMW and John Lewis.
The consumer organisation’s annual awards, presented by Natasha Kaplinsky at the British Museum this afternoon, celebrates the UK’s best products and services, from cars and restaurants to supermarkets and financial services.
Joseph Morris Butchers from Leicestershire was named Which? Local Business of the Year and Ronnies in Thornbury received The Good Food Guide Restaurant of the Year award from top chef Heston Blumenthal OBE. Inventor Trevor Baylis OBE presented the Innovation Award to the BBC for its ground-breaking iPlayer service.
All of the award winners were praised for providing customers with value for money. The Co-operative Bank was commended for its prudent business model and behaviour and Aldi scooped the Best Supermarket award for its quality goods at keen prices.
The result of a blind taste test that took place before the ceremony was further proof that lower cost doesn’t necessarily mean lower quality. More of the 300 guests preferred a supermarket own-brand fizz, priced at £19.99 than a leading brand of Champagne at £28.99.
It was third time lucky for Canon and Bosch, who won in the Audio Visual and Domestic Appliance categories after being a runner-up for the last two years. play.com retained the Best Online Retailer title, and John Lewis reclaimed the Best High Street Retailer award.
Which? chief executive, Peter Vicary-Smith, says:
“Now, perhaps more than ever, consumers want to know that if they spend their hard-earned cash on a product or service it will be worth it. We’re delighted to be celebrating individuals, local businesses and well known consumer brands that not only meet the highest standards in their field, but also seek to deliver exceptional value.”
- Ends –
Notes to Editor
Please contact Miranda Akhurst or Sarah Gartside for more information, an interview with Which?, an image of the Champagne taste test, or images of the award winners.
Award winners
Best Audio Visual Brand: Canon
Best Domestic Appliance Brand: Bosch
Best Carmaker: BMW
Best Financial Services Provider: Co-operative Bank
Best High Street Retailer: John Lewis
Which? Innovation Award: BBC iplayer
Best Online Retailer: play.com
Best Supermarket: Aldi
The Good Food Guide Restaurant of the Year: Ronnies, Thornbury
Which? Local Business of the Year: Joseph Morris Butchers, Leicestershire
More than 29,000 recommendations were made by Which? members for the Which? Local Business of the Year award. These recommendations were used to select ten regional winners, including Joseph Morris Butchers which was named best local trader in the Midlands as well as overall winner of Which? Local Business of the Year award.
More than 23,000 people voted in The Good Food Guide’s annual readers’ Restaurant of the Year award. These were used to select ten regional winners, including Ronnies which was named the public’s favourite South West restaurant as well as overall winner of The Good Food Guide Restaurant of the Year award.