Barnitts, in York, win The Press Shop Of The Year 2009 competition (From York Press)

Barnitts, in York, win The Press Shop Of The Year 2009 competition

9:48am Saturday 29th August 2009 in

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MANY dozens of shops – from local butchers and city centre food outlets to suburban delis and remote village stores – were nominated for The Press Shop Of The Year award.

Inspiring plaudits flooded in for the helpful, friendly and efficient service provided in readers’ favourite stores, which so often have been prepared to go that extra mile.

But our judges found one store stood out from all the rest in terms of the amazing scale and extent of the praise from all over the region – Barnitts, in York.

This hardware store in Colliergate, established more than a century ago by George Barnitt and now one of York’s biggest and best-known independent retailers, is simply adored by its loyal customers.

This is just a little of the praise the shop received: “Simply the best shop for miles,” said Dora Cross, of Heslington.

“It’s what I like to call a real shop.. a real treasure trove,” said Rex North, of Malton.

“Whatever you want, you’ll get it at Barnitts,” said Jean Cobb, of York.

“The staff are so helpful, so kind in every way,” said Brian Mack, of Kirk Hammerton.

“We absolutely love this shop,” said Malcolm and Janice Race, of Barnsley, South Yorks, who are frequent visitors to York.

“I often go into the city just to go to Barnitts,” said Linda Oldfield, of Osbaldwick.

A delighted Ian Thompson, chairman and managing director of Barnitts, thanked The Press for organising the competition and thanked the store’s loyal customers for nominating the business.

He said: “Without our customers we wouldn’t be in existence.” He also praised his employees, saying: “It’s down to the staff that we have.”

He urged younger people, who he felt often didn’t shop in the city centre, to come into the city and explore the ‘World of Barnitts’. He said the prize, like all perks within the business, would be given to members of staff through a draw.

The prize donors, the Dean Court Hotel, White Stretch Limousines and York Racecourse, said they were delighted to have backed the competition.

David Brooks, manager of the Dean Court, said the high quality of entries had highlighted the excellent retail offered in York, adding that the Dean Court often used Barnitts to buy items.

Other shops picked out by the judges for exceptional quality of service included Mair’s Delicatessen in Heworth, the Old Post Office at Thixendale, Alligator Organic and Wholefood store in Fishergate, the York Beer and Wine Shop just off Fishergate, M & K Butchers of Bishopthorpe Road, Ged Bell butchers of Middlethorpe Grove, Krumbs Cafe of Tanner Row and Get Your Frocks Off in Goodramgate. Francine Clee, deputy editor of The Press, said: “It’s really good to see how many shops are prepared to go the extra mile, and are helping to keep communities alive. It’s encouraging that butchers and other food shops have real character and customer service, and are supporting local producers.

“The large number of nominations for the award has also shown how much people value their shops. So many shops were given fantastic praise and could have won the award, were it not for the overwhelming support given to Barnitts by so many customers.”

Competition to boost the retail sector

THE shop of the year contest was organised to boost the retail sector as part of The Press’s York Means Business campaign, which aims to support and promote local businesses through the global recession.

We asked readers to nominate their favourite shop – and also shopkeepers to nominate their own business – because of the exceptional quality of service.

Two members of staff from Barnitts will now enjoy the fabulous prize of a luxury night for two at York’s Dean Court Hotel, followed by a champagne breakfast, before being whisked to York Racecourse in a limo from White Stretch Limousines of Riccall to attend The Press Family Raceday on Sunday, September 6, where they will be joined by half a dozen other members of their staff.