Postman Chris Stott who delivers to businesses in George Street was nominated by local retailers for the great service he gives in all weathers while local traders also wanted City Clean’s street cleaning team of Lucasz Skwia, Lewis Smith, Szolt Deak, Jeff Newington & Mike Batey to be recognised for all their hard work in keeping the shopping streets of central Hove pristine and clean. They all received a Hove Hero Award along with Eric de Chalon from Funeral Directors Bungard & Sons Ltd at a presentation ceremony at Sussex County Cricket Club in Eaton Road on Tuesday night.

Receiving the top award for Outstanding Achievement was Studio 57 who also won the best Specialist Service Award along with Plumbing on Tap and Sussex Funeral Services.

Best Shop in Hove went to Igigi in Western Road, Hove after a tightly fought contest , while Paris Wine Bar won the Best Place to Spend an Evening Out Award and Hub Hove won the Best Coffee Shop.

Best Newcomer was Charlotte’s Web, the new toy shop in Church Road while Friendliest Staff winner was Bertie & Belle in Church Road, another welcome newcomer to Hove’s shopping offer.

Green Mop won the Best Eco Business Award.

Roger French, one of the Award organisers said, “The judges had a tough job selecting the winners from over 80 nominations. It was interesting to see Church Road businesses taking so many honours with four of the winning awards.

The At Your Service Awards are organised by the Hove Business Partnership which is supported by Brighton & Hove City Council and this year were sponsored by the Hove Business Association. Among the presenters of the awards at the award ceremony were the Mayor of Brighton & Hove Councillor Bill Randall and Council Leader, Councillor Jason Kitkat.

The full list of award winners and finalists appears below…

Best Shop in Hove WINNER – Igigi, Western Road, Hove Highly commended A Coombs Pet Centre – Portland Road

• Nick Rivett Sport – Church Road
• R C Secker – Richardson Road
• Traherne Pharmacy – Hove Park Villas

Best Coffee Shop WINNER – Hub Hove, Church Road

• Highly commended Coffee Republic - Church Road
• Lala’s Café – George Street

Best Specialist JOINT WINNERS -

• Plumbing on Tap 
• Service Studio 57
• Sussex Funeral Services

Highly commended Bungard & Sons Ltd

Best Place to Spend an Evening Out WINNER - Paris Wine Bar, Church Road

• Highly commended Giggling Squid
• Latino

Friendliest Staff WINNER - Bertie & Belle, Church Road

• Highly commended Drury Tea & Coffee
• Tom’s Sandwich Shop

Best Newcomer WINNER - Charlotte’s Web, Church Road

• Highly commended Once Upon a Time
• Stone Hair

Hove Hero Joint WINNERS - Chris Stott (Royal Mail) and Eric de Chalon (Bungard & Sons Ltd)

Hove Heroes – Team Award - Street Cleaning Team - George Street & Church Road Lucasz Skwia, Lewis Smith, Szolt Deak, Jeff Newington & Mike Batey (City Clean)