TWO of Wantage’s independent market place businesses were among the winners in the town's 2017 Local Business Awards.

Re-loved furniture, interiors and curiosities shop Creations won the Exceptional Customer Service – Shop Category, while long-established local jewellers Peter Casey won the Mayor’s Best Kept Shop Front award.

People’s Choice Restaurant winner was The Bear for the fourth year running, while The Swan was named People’s Choice Pub.

The Exceptional Customer Service – Non-Retail Category was won by plumbing and heating specialists, PlumbedWright.

The annual awards, run by Wantage Town Team and supported by Wantage & District Chamber of Commerce to mark Small Business Saturday, gave people chance to vote for independent businesses in five categories.

The full winners and ‘highly commended’ list is:

Exceptional Customer Service – Shop Category

Winner: Creations

Highly Commended: Umami Delicatessen

Exceptional Customer Service – Non Retail Category

Winner: PlumbedWright

Highly Commended: Room for Beauty

People's Choice Restaurant

Winner: The Bear

Highly Commended: Yummy Thai Restaurant

People's Choice Pub

Winner: The Swan

Highly Commended: King Alfred's Head

Mayor's Best Kept Shop Front

Winner: Peter Casey

Highly Commended: Dolphin Art

The winners’ awards were presented during the chamber’s annual Christmas Party at Wildwood Restaurant.

The five business award winners receive a certificate and a £50 voucher to be claimed against advertising and/ or marketing costs.

Simon Wood of Creations said: "As an independent business, Carrie and I at Creations simply love what we do, and we strive to offer a service that goes above and beyond the norm.

"To win an award for exceptional customer service, voted by our customers, is just such a great feeling. We’re so proud and humbled to receive it.

"We look forward to seeing both old and new customers in the new year."

Winners of the Mayor’s Best Kept Shop Front award, Peter Casey Jewellers, said: “Peter Casey and his staff were thrilled to hear that they had won the Mayor’s award for the best kept shop front this year.

"The presentation and upkeep of our two shop frontages is a high priority for the team which they believe makes the high street a nicer environment for shoppers.

"We all need to do everything we can to encourage people to shop on their high streets rather than their computers."

Wantage town team led by Market Town Co-ordinator, Mim Norvell, is part of the Love Wantage vitality initiative funded by the Vale of White Horse District Council, and supported by Wantage Town Council, Grove Parish Council and Wantage & District Chamber of Commerce through the Wantage Joint Economic Forum (JEF).