The 2008 BCSC gold awards were the hardest-fought ever, and to be judged the best centre in the busiest-ever year for centre openings is a true accolade. The supreme gold award for 2008 was presented to Hammerson and Land Securities’Cabot Circus in Bristol at the awards dinner at London’s Grosvenor House. Despite the downturn, over 1,000 people saw Primark named retailer of the year. The Trafford Centre in Manchester picked up the established centre gold award and Shoppertainment’s eight-week fashion extravaganza at Merseyway, Stockport received a gold award for income generation.

Silverburn in Glasgow took home the gold award for best out-of-town retail scheme while three other in-town schemes – St Pancras International in London, Highcross in Leicester and Victoria Square in Belfast – were also honoured.

Neil Varnham, chairman of the gold awards jury, said: “The jury are delighted with the excellent contributions received this year. The distinctive scheme designs, creative shop-fits and inspiring ideas presented have provided the panel with an extremely high-level of entries.”

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