Which? Awards 2009 Which? awards 'the best of the best' in products and services.

A restaurant located in a shopping precinct and a family-run butcher were among the winners of the 2009 Which? Awards, alongside well-known names such as BMW and John Lewis.

The annual awards, presented by Natasha Kaplinsky at the British Museum, celebrate the UK’s best products and services, from cars and restaurants to supermarkets and financial services.

All the award winners were praised for providing customers with value for money.

Setting the scene: Giving consumers value for money

 

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The winners revealed

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. 

 

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Inventor Trevor Baylis OBE presented the Innovation Award to the BBC for its ground-breaking iPlayer service.

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 June 9 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.

The BBC's iPlayer won the 2009 Innovation Award

Canon and Bosch

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.'

Full list of Which? Awards winners

The following were named as Which? award winners at a ceremony at the British Museum on June 9:

BMW, named Best Carmaker at the Which? Awards

Best Domestic Appliance brand: Bosch

Best Audio Visual brand: Canon

Best Car Manufacturer: BMW

Best Financial Service Provider: Co-operative Bank

Best High Street Retailer: John Lewis

Which? Innovation Award: BBC iPlayer

Best Online Retailer: Play.com

Best Supermarket: Aldi

Good Food Guide Restaurant: Ronnies, Thornbury

Which? Local Business of the year: Joseph Morris Butchers from Leicestershire 

About the awards

Now in their third year, the Which? Awards celebrate the best companies and individuals that seek to serve the interests of consumers.

Unlike many industry awards, a company cannot put itself forward for a Which? Award – a reflection of our commitment to unbiased, completely independent product endorsement.

This year's winners were selected to win a Which? Award from one of the award categories reflecting the breadth of Which?’s research, information and advice.

Winners in each category were awarded a trophy and use of the Which? Award icon for one year on their marketing communications.

For the first time, Which? Local named a Which? Award winner to recognise great customer service and excellent work by local businesses.

Resources

• Which Awards 2008 (PDF: 1597Kb)
  08 July 2008

  All you need to know about the Which? Awards winners 2008

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