A stage show-style Wonders of Westside awards (WOWs) was attended by more than 200 staff from venues across the district at the Crescent Theatre last night (Sunday 22 January).
Westside BID hosts the WOWs annually to recognise individuals and businesses that go the extra mile for customers.
More than 25 Westside businesses and staff were recognised during the event and accepted their awards on stage. The winners were:
- Best Fine Dining – Pushkars
- Best Hotel Team – Novotel Birmingham Centre Hotel
- Best Promo Team Leader – Joseph Jackson, Vodbull
- Best Retail – Sainsbury’s
- Best Doorman – Richard Keating, Reflex
- Best Bar Team – Popworld
- Best Newcomer – Heidi’s Bier Bar
- Best Arts and Entertainment Manager – James Booth, The Crescent Theatre
- Best Arts and Entertainment Venue – UVB, Rep Theatre
- The Best Promo Team – Vodbull
- Best Club Team – Pryzm
- Best Restaurant Team – Barajee
- Best Restaurant Manager – Kostas Panagiotidis, Lulu Wild
- Best Bar Manager – Steve Goddard Emmison, Velvet Music Rooms
- Best Pub Team – The Brasshouse
- Best Front of House – Siamais
- Best Themed Night Out – Grosvenor Casino
- Best Club Manager – Jo Ellerby, Popworld
- Best Door Team – Obar
- Best Casual Restaurant – Jimmy Spices
- Employee of the Year – Hili Fletcher
- Years of Service Award – Connor Kingsley, Mr Mulligans
- Long Service Award – Sadiq Zaman, Pushkars
- The most impressive Refurbishment – Rosie’s
- The Best Pub – O’Neils
- The Best Club – Rosies
- Best Bar – Velvet Music Rooms
The awards were even more special this year with top singer-songwriter Andy Bennett, once part of Ocean Colour Scene, treating the audience to a dazzling musical performance along with singer Lorraine Olley.
Those who attended then enjoyed a mini-party after the awards, with each guest’s ticket buying them up to six free drinks.
Mike Olley, general manager of Westside BID, said: “What a wonderful night we had with venues and staff receiving their fully deserved WOWs awards.
“It was great to see Westside thriving again in 2022 as the ‘golden mile’ of Birmingham steadily recovering from Covid.
“While the year brought many challenges, our venues continued with their determination to keep going and to make sure that they retained the biggest and best entertainment crown for the whole Midlands region.”
- Main picture: the team from Velvet Music Rooms celebrate their award of ‘Best Bar’.
- Above picture: Andy Bennett and Lorraine Olley entertain the guests.
- Pictures by Jas Sansi. Visit his Flickr page to see all the pictures from the night: https://www.flickr.com/photos/jassansi/albums/72177720305419551
