Newcomer Café Filto accepting the award for Café/On the Go Retailer of the Year
There was a spirit of David versus Goliath at Metrocentre’s 40th Anniversary Retailer Awards last night, as the mall’s growing number of independents vied with major brands to be crowned Top of the Shops 2026. The annual awards, which are voted for by the public, recognise the colleagues, stores, restaurants, and leisure venues going above and beyond in their approach.
This year’s event, which took place at Newcastle’s Boiler Shop, embraced a fun 1980s theme to tie in with Metrocentre celebrating 40 years since its official opening ceremony on 13 October. Co-hosts Matt Bailey of BBC Radio Newcastle and Gavin Prior, Centre Director, donned their best ‘Miami Vice’ looks to present 15 awards, along with three Judges’ Choice accolades. This was followed by special guest and 1980s idol Martin Kemp treating retailers to a live DJ set featuring some of his favourite hits from over the decades.
Among the award highlights was the eagerly awaited battle of the big brands in the Newcomer of the Year category, with Stradivarius fending off strong competition from rival labels Urban Outfitters and Hollister to clinch the public vote.
There were triumphs for the centre’s independent community too. This included Café Filto scooping Café/On the Go Retailer of the Year, having brewed up a perfect storm with its speciality matcha, canned iced coffees and signature dishes since opening at Metrocentre’s new indie hub, The Crescent, this summer. Meanwhile, the award for Specialist and Services Retailer of the Year, went to the Newcastle United Foundation Careers Hub for its work to provide youngsters with an inclusive, encouraging space to develop practical skills and explore employment opportunities.
In the Judges’ Choice awards, David Young of Sports Direct was named Manager of the Year for leading an extensive refurbishment that has resulted in the store consistently outperforming the company average by 20% and establishing itself as one of the brand’s top performing locations in the region.
And rounding off the night’s accolades, a special group award was presented to representatives from the 23 retailers who have traded at Metrocentre over its full four decades. This includes Boots, M&S, Odeon, Pizza Hutand River Island (formerly Chelsea Girl), along with independents Collectables, Paris Dress House and Sweets Galore.
Commenting on Metrocentre’s 40th Anniversary Retailer Awards, Centre Director Gavin Prior said: “What better way to celebrate forty years of trading, and the brands and staff who have been instrumental to that, than by dedicating this evening to them. Our thanks to everyone who voted and congratulations to this year’s winners and runners-up. “Seeing new and established independents alike share the public vote with some of the biggest brands perfectly sums up what makes Metrocentre the go-to destination in the North East, and we are hugely excited about who’s joining the line-up next.”
