Manchester’s creatives gathered at Urbis to hear who had been crowned the winners of the second Best of Manchester Awards.

The awards celebrate innovation in three fields: art, music and fashion. A £2000 cash prize was up for grabs, as well as a professional development package drawn up in consultation with the judges, who were led by Peter Saville. Caroline Ashworth, Head of Marketing and Communications at Urbis explains, “Not only do the awards recognise the abundance of talent within the city of Manchester, but they also try and nurture and foster relationships in order to keep it here.”

Simon Buckley, of vintage boutique Rags to Bitches picked up the award for fashion, gob-smacked, he told CT, “It’s important that Manchester gives a boost to the creative industries……it’s also fantastic for our staff – winning this helps them to see that what we’re doing is working”.

Rags to Bitches, who gained recognition for their potential to expand, offer a bespoke dressmaking service and have their own label as well as running sewing, pattern-cutting and dressmaking courses.

And finally, the award for music was handed to Richard Cheetham for High Voltage – an independent label, club night and fanzine he started up five years ago. Working with bands such as The Answering Machine and Nine Black Alps, the judges commended Cheetham for his support of new music.

The Best of Manchester exhibition, which showcases work by all three winners runs until 28 September at Urbis.

W: www.urbis.org.uk