Destination Wollongong general manager Mark Sleigh said the 2016 awards celebrate the constant evolution of the City Centre, recognising those that positively contribute to the heart of the city.

“Wollongong’s City Centre continues to diversify into a vibrant economy that attracts locals and visitors alike into the city’s core,” Mr Sleigh said.

“This is made possible by the diligent commitment of the retailers and businesses in this space, which is what the awards are designed to acknowledge and celebrate.”

Mark Sleigh said it was great to have such a strong field of businesses vying for success and that Wollongong City Centre was experiencing unprecedented infrastructure investment, with more than $750 million in construction either completed or underway.

“This includes the award-winning addition to Wollongong Central and the refurbishment of the Crown Street Mall that were both completed in late 2014," Mr Sleigh said. "We're now seeing the positive impact of these developments."

A new innovation category highlights the 2016 Wollongong City Centre Retail and Business Awards to make up 15 categories.

Wollongong Central general manager Dennis Price said the new innovation category aligns with the broader vision of Wollongong as the City of Innovation.

“Over the past few years there have been interesting and new retail formats popping up all over the city and we want to recognise and encourage that,’’ Mr Price said.

Lord Mayor Councillor Gordon Bradbery OAM said the awards are a fantastic way to acknowledge the hard work and effort that goes into running a successful retail store or business.

“People are busy and it’s hard to find the time to sit back and congratulate someone or an organisation for what they’ve achieved,” he said.

“That’s why I encouraged everyone to put their nominations in and support those working to make our city centre a great place to work, do business and socialise.”

When OPSM Wollongong was named the 2015 Wollongong City Centre Retail and Business of the Year award last year, it was the first time the eyecare centre had won a category at the awards.

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Earlier in the night OPSM Wollongong took out the healthcare, lifestyle and fitness award at the function hosted by Destination Wollongong with presenting partner Commonwealth Bank on behalf of the Wollongong City Council.

Isabel Carrasco was named Employee of the Year (Alana Dryden was highly commended) and Mobile Phone Hospital Wollongong took out the Shopper's Choice award.

In all there were 87 finalists across 17 categories representing 68 businesses in the 2015 awards.

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