Shropshire Star Spotlight award-winners raise a cheer to success

Thousands of Shropshire Star readers had voted for their favourite socialising spots before the finalists gathered at a ceremony to honour their success.

The Buttermarket in Shrewsbury hosted the evening where the driving forces behind the county's thriving day-to-night scene were applauded.

Categories ranged from Best Posh Nosh to Pub Grub and Family Day Out to Evening Out as the venues that had impressed readers time and time again.

Invited guests enjoyed drinks and canapés as one by one the winners were revealed and were presented with their gold trophy and framed certificate.

Presenters Cat and Nelly from Free Radio announced the well deserved winners.

The award for The Best Cafe or Tea Room, sponsored by Abbey Kitchens, saw a tie between the Old Mill Tea Room in the Antique Centre in Bridgnorth and Festival Drayton Centre, owned and run for the last 30 years by the community of Market Drayton.

Charlie Powell, of the Old Mill, said: "It's fantastic that we were joint first. I am really chuffed."

And Pam Holland, of Festival Drayton, said: "We are thrilled to bits. We are so grateful to everyone who has voted for us. "

The pair had beaten tough competition from Wem's The Nest, run by "Mamma Bird", in the gift and artshop The Soulbird Gallery.

Best Takeaway East, sponsored by The Three Furnaces Bar and Club, went to chippy Silver Fish on Tan Bank in Wellington. Runners up were Chinese takeaway Ambrosia in Market Drayton and Indian restaurant and takeaway Mishu in High Street, Madeley.

Yianna and Ban Vanezi, of Silver Fish, accepted the award.

Yianna said: "I am so ecstatic I can't believe it. "

Best Takeaway West was sponsored by Powerpoint Stores and went to Shalimar Indian Restaurant in Abbey Foregate, Shrewsbury. Owner Martin Kabir said: "I have been running my own business for the last 25 years and it's so nice to have this compliment in its anniversary year."

Best Posh Nosh sponsored by Wonderland was a closely contested category with little to separate the top trio. But The Hundred House Hotel in Norton emerged the winner for the second year ahead of House of the Rising Sun in Shrewsbury and the Albright Hussey Manor Hotel just north of the town.

The finalists for Best Pub Grub East sponsored by Pussycats Nightclub were The Down Inn on the Ludlow Road just outside Bridgnorth, The Huntsman of Little Wenlock and The Woodbridge Inn in Coalport.

The Woodbridge was the winner, with the award collected by George Curtis and Oli Parrish. Oli said: "We've got a really good team and everyone has worked really hard to get these votes."

And it was a double celebration for Brunning and Price when The Armoury in Shrewsbury won Best Pub Grub East sponsored by T H Baker. It held its own against The Coach and Horses in the town and The Wingfield Arms at Montford Bridge.

The Best Pub award sponsored by The Wood Brewery had four finalists – The Prince of Wales, in Belle Vue, Shrewsbury, The Bear at Hodnet, The Green Dragon in Little Stretton and the New Inn in Hadnall.

And the award went to Greg Williams and Alyn Jones from The Bear at Hodnet. Greg said: "We are really excited and chuffed to bits. It's a great achievement."

The award for Best Family Day Out – Large, sponsored by the Midland Game Fair went to the Ironbridge Gorge Museums.

Runners up were Hawkstone Park Follies in north Shropshire and the Royal Air Force Museum at Cosford.

The finalists for Best Family Day Out Small Venue were Park Hall Farm in Oswestry, Rednal Karting, Paintball and Laser and Shropshire Hills Discovery Centre in Craven Arms. And the winner of the award sponsored by Gasco was Shropshire Hills Discovery Centre.

The Festival Drayton Centre saw its second spell under the spotlight when it won Best Evening Out East from headline sponsor Telford College of Arts and Technology.

It claimed victory over the Southwater Development in Telford and The Place, also known as Oakengates Theatre.

Best Evening Out West sponsored by Hobs and Hotplates saw three finalists all from Shrewsbury – Gala Bingo, Theatre Severn and The Old Market Hall.

The winner was Theatre Severn.

Event of the Year was sponsored by the Park Inn by Radisson Telford. Finalists were Newport Nocturne, RAF Cosford Air Show and Shrewsbury Flower Show. The winner was the flower show.