RETAIL giants and independent providers gathered for a glamorous black-tie ceremony at the Hilton Hotel for this year's Reading Retail Awards.

Businesses battled it out in a series of categories, celebrating individual and team excellence over the last 12 months.

ITV news presenter Sangeeta Bhabra continued her unbroken record of hosting every edition of the annual awards and this year was joined by comedian and writer Mark Dolan.

Jacobs the Jewellers won the overall award - Retailer of the Year - while a number of independent shops toppled giants to succeed in their category.

The ninth year of the retail awards saw guests help raise money for Sue Ryder Duchess of Kent Hospice, either by taking part in a raffle or donating on the evening to this year's charity partner.

A full list of the Reading Retail Awards 2018 winners:

  • Service with a Smile:

Winner: Yorkshire Building Society

Shortlisted: Ann Summers, Iwona's Hair and Beauty, Pandora

  • Cafes, Coffee & Lunch:

Winner: The Flowering Teapot

Shortlisted: Boswells, Mia's Coffee Shop, Picnic

  • Restaurant of the Year (formal):

Winner: Cilantro

Shortlisted: House of Flavours, Miller & Carter, Bill's, The Fox & Hounds, The Lyndhurst

  • Restaurant of the Year (informal):

Winner: The Fox & Hounds

Shortlisted: Bill's, The Lyndhurst

  • Your Favourite Shop:

Winner: Grape Tree

Shortlisted: Eclectic Games, John Lewis

  • Shooting Star:

Winner: ​Harneet Khatter (Specsavers)

Shortlisted: Victoria Cox (Kool Kidz Kutz), Bekii Harley (Honest Burgers)

  • Manager of the Year:

​Winner: Jamie Lee (Whittard of Chelsea)

Shortlisted: Jasleen Gill (House of Fraser), Owen Brunt (Wolf Italian Street Food)

  • Marketing Campaign of the Year:

​Winner: Kool Kidz Kutz

Shortlisted: Terry's, Broad Street Bar & Kitchen

  • Health, Beauty & Wellbeing:

​Winner: Therapists on the Highstreet

Shortlisted: Future Babies, The Funky Barnet, Fox and Hair

  • Out of Town:

Winner: Pine & Oak Furniture

Shortlisted: The Funky Barnet, Solutions 4 Health

  • Independent Retailer of the Year:

​Winner: The Grumpy Goat

Shortlisted: Caversham Artisan & Farmers Market, Jacbos the Jewellers, Art Jam Studio, AW Cycles

  • Multiple Retailer of the Year:

Winner: House of Fraser

Shortlisted: John Lewis, Slaters Menswear

  • Innovation in the Marketplace:

Winner: Premier & Angels School of Motoring

Shortlisted: Art Jam Studio, Broad Street Bar & Kitchen

  • Sustainability in Retail:

​Winner: True Food Community Co-op

Shortlisted: Carousel Clothing Dress Agency, Itsu

  • Retailer of the Year:

​Winner: Jacobs the Jewellers

Reading Chronicle: