Which? Awards 2008

Which? Awards 2008

Now in their second year, the Which? Awards celebrate the best companies and individuals that seek to serve the interests of consumers. The cream of British industry gathered once again at The British Museum on Tuesday 17 June to find out who came top in this year’s highly competitive categories.

Peter Vicary-Smith, Chief executive of Which?, said:

'We’ve praised the top brands from the worlds of retail, financial services, car making and catering that have gone the extra mile to help meet the day-to-day needs of customers, delivering products and services worthy of a Which? Award.

'Which? researchers used their judgement after poring over surveys and test results to determine the winners – and our members played a vital role. Your feedback on your experiences as a customer helped decide the winners – and how Which? tackles today’s consumer challenges.

Mazda’s blend of excellent value for money, reliability and innovation made it a winner

'We’ve added more categories this year, recognising the importance of airlines and online retail. We’ve also honoured winners of categories ranging from cars to broadband providers, domestic appliances to financial products, and restaurants to high-street retailers. We’ve named a consumer champion whose deeds will have a lasting impact on the everyday lives of the public.

'Choosing the winners has been challenging – none more so than for Best Current Account. Today’s economic climate means that we’ll be continually monitoring the winner and all financial service providers – ensuring that they continue to give customers a fair deal.

'The Which? Awards are a celebration of good practice and good products that succeed in meeting consumers’ expectations. We’ll continue to put companies through their paces over the next year, and hope that competition for a Which? Award is even tougher in 2009.'

2008 winners

Best audiovisual brand

Winner: Panasonic

Runners up: Canon, Sony

Best domestic appliance brand

Winner: Miele

Runners-up: Bosch, Electrolux Group

Best carmaker 

Winner: Mazda

Runners-up: Audi, BMW, Honda, Lexus, Toyota

Best high-street retailer 

Winner: Waitrose

Runners-up: John Lewis, Waterstone’s

Best value-for-money retailer 

Winner: Lidl

Runners-up: Aldi, Iceland

Best online retailer 

Winner: Play.com

Runners-up: Abebooks.com, Amazon.co.uk

Good Food Guide restaurant of the year 

Winner: Ramsons, Ramsbottom

Winning regional restaurants: 

• East England: Great House, Lavenham
• Londo:n Pied à Terre
• Midlands: Perkins, Plumtree
• North-East: Weaver’s Shed, Golcar
• Northern Ireland: Bay Tree, Holywood
• North-West: Ramsons, Ramsbottom
• Scotland: Ee-Usk, Oban
• South-East: Hungry Monk, Jevington
• South-West: Allium, Fairford
• Wales: Fairyhill, Reynoldston

Best broadband provider 

Winner: Zen Internet

Runners-up: Waitrose, Utility Warehouse

Consumer champion of the year 

Winner: John Fingleton

Best credit card provider 

Winner: John Lewis Partnership

Runners-up: Marks & Spencer Money, Nationwide Building Society

Best current account 

Winner: Cahoot

Runners-up: Nationwide Building Society, Smile

Best airline 

Winner: Singapore Airlines

Runners-up: Air New Zealand, Jet Airways,  Palmair