A shopping centre praised for its performance during the covid-19 pandemic and community-focussed initiatives has been crowned Greater Birmingham business of the year.

Touchwood in Solihull impressed judges at the 2022 Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce Business Awards who said it had “set the benchmark” for UK shopping centres in terms of sales and footfall performance.

The town centre retail hub was named winner of the hospitality and retail category and overall business of the year.

During the year’s most challenging periods, Touchwood lent its expertise to the wider retail and hospitality community and shared leasing opportunities with competitors.

It also remained open for essential services during the covid lockdowns and can boast 92 per cent occupancy.

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The annual ceremony takes place on Friday March 18 at the ICC in Birmingham and will celebrate the city’s finest businesses, individuals and organisations and crown our overall Company of the Year.

The evening will be a celebration of not only business excellence but a chance to re-connect with your networks following two years of coronavirus lockdowns and restrictions.

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Among its popular campaigns is The Touchwood Enterprise scheme which gives local start-ups the chance to have their first high-street presence and which has hosted more than 50 young businesses since it first launched.

As well as its solid business performance, it won praise for its focus on the local community with its support for the Solihull Shopmobility scheme, holding a ‘Quiet Hour’ with Autism West Midlands and Purple Tuesday which helps disabled customers.

Katrina Cooke, the chamber’s chief commercial officer and chairwoman of the judging panel, said: “A huge congratulations to Touchwood. The standard of entries this year was very high, shown through the 92 businesses shortlisted.

“Thank you to all of the businesses who took the time to enter into the awards. The amazing work of our region is a testament to the businesses who comprise it.”

Meanwhile, an entrepreneur who has built a £40 million business after launching her career with two paper rounds received this year’s President’s Award.

Wendy Merricks is chief executive of Jumar Solutions which provides technology and people services for clients such as the DWP, DVLA and Home Office.

Chamber president Deb Leary said: “Wendy sums up all that is brilliant about the entrepreneurial spirit of Greater Birmingham – their dogged determination, boldness and bravery to step up, despite doubts and challenges, and passion to find solutions.

“She is a true Brummie who sums up the spirit of entrepreneurship, of seizing the day, seeing a challenge and stepping up to create a solution.”

The awards were held last night at the ICC in Birmingham and welcomed 1,300 guests.

The full list of winners is below and click through here to read the 2022 shortlist

Excellence in Contribution to the Community

Edgbaston Park Hotel & Conference Centre

Excellence in Customer Service

Indigo

Excellence in Hospitality and Retail and Business of the Year

Touchwood

Excellence in International Business

Flexeserve

Excellence in Manufacturing

RotoSpa

Excellence in People Development

Jacobs

Excellence in Responsible Business

Unity Trust Bank

Excellence in Sales & Marketing

Flexeserve

Excellence in Sustainability

Arup

Excellence in Technology & Innovation

G&P Group Holdings

Excellence in Third Sector

Millennium Point

Excellence in Training & Education

University of Birmingham