BOBBY Davro entertained a packed audience at The Hilton Hotel back in 2013, the fourth edition of the Reading Retail Awards.

The comedian and former EastEnders star joined regular host Sangeeta Bhabra to celebrate the high achievers of the last 12 months.

John Lewis came out on top, winning the coveted Retailer of the Year accolade, as well as the Learner of the Year Award.

To celebrate the 10th anniversary, the event’s organisers will continue to look back at previous editions over the coming weeks.

Fast-forward to the present day and the awards continue to hold similar principles of shining a light onto the unsung heroes in our community.

The culmination of the next few months will be the glittering black tie awards evening, which will take place on September 28 at the Hilton Hotel.

The awards are free to enter and there are three new categories this year, including Best New Store, Pub of the Year and Outstanding Achievement Award.

The nomination process is open until July 26. Entry forms can be collected from the information desks in either The Oracle or The Broad Street Mall.

Tickets are available, priced at £75, from the Reading Retail Awards website.

List of 2013 Winners:

l The Shop I Can’t Live Without (Out of Town): True Food Community Co-operative

l The Shop I Can’t Live Without (In Town): Lakeland

l My Favourite Coffee Shop: Whittingtons Tea Barge

l The Lovely Lunch: Tutu’s Ethiopian Table

l Restaurant of the Year: Cote Brasserie

l Learner of the Year: Julie Pearce, John Lewis Partnership

l Shooting Star: Kelly Mace, The Funky Barnet

l Manager of the Year: Kirtsy Hunter, Hotel Chocolat

l Promotional Initiative of the Year: Dancia International

l Store Design and Environment of the Year: Hugo Boss

l Independent Retailer of the Year: Jacobs of Reading

l Multiple Retailer of the Year: John Lewis Partnership

l Retailer of the Year 2013: John Lewis