IT WAS a little piece of magic as the much-loved joke shop, Tam Shepherds, won the title of Glasgow’s Favourite Business last night.

The magic and joke store, which was founded in 1886, was presented with the award at the Glasgow Business Awards at the Hilton Glasgow in front of some 700 guests.

The award, which is sponsored by the Evening Times, was part of the awards which are staged by Glasgow Chamber of Commerce. The event’s main sponsor was Royal Bank of Scotland.

Tam Shepherds was the winner after seeing off the other five contenders – Partick Thistle, Glasgow Film Theatre, iolla eyewear, the Scotia and Tantrum Doughnuts. This year’s race for the title attracted a huge number of votes.

Evening Times editor Graham Shields, who presented the Favourite Business engraved trophy, said: “Tam Shepherds is a remarkable shop that has been much loved by generations of Glaswegians. It has even managed to remain in the same premises in Queen Street since it was established.

“It is an excellent addition to the long list of high-profile businesses that have won this coveted title over the years.”

Lord Smith of Kelvin, whose many high-profile posts have included a BBC governorship and chair of the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games organising company, was presented with the Glasgow Chamber lifetime achievement award by the Chamber’s Neil Amner.

Glasgow Credit Union, a previous winner of the Favourite Business title, won the Excellence in Communications award.

Uisdean Fraser, of Synergie Environ, was Entrepreneur of the Year, and Brian Toward, of Wholesale Domestic, was Young Business Person of the Year.

SLG Technology pulled off a great double, winning not only the award for sustainable development but also the Royal Bank of Scotland award for Most Outstanding Business.

Other winners on the night were:

• Innovation in business: Big Green Feet CiC

• Excellence in Customer Service: A.C. Whyte & Co

• Green Champion: Environmental Team, City Building LLP

• People Development: HLM Architects

• Family Business of the Year: Laings

• Innovation in Youth Employment: SP Energy Networks

• Best Performing Business (1-10 employees): School Cloud Systems

• Best Performing Business (11-50 employees): Douglas Laing & Co

• Best Performing Business (51 employees or over): Strathclyde Business School.

Stuart Patrick, Chief Executive at Glasgow Chamber of Commerce said: “Now in our 20th year of hosting the event, The Glasgow Business Awards continue to honour the city’s thriving business community and celebrate yet another year of excellent accomplishments. 

“Glasgow has a wealth of strong and diverse businesses across all sectors, and that was reflected amongst the winners tonight. 

“It’s been a great year to welcome our new headline sponsor Royal Bank of Scotland, and a huge well done SLG Technology Ltd for winning its Most Outstanding Business award. 

“Thank you to all the individual category sponsors and congratulations to each of the winners tonight, and all those who were commended. 

“It’s been a great night, and thank you to everyone who has been part of the last 20 years, we look forward to seeing what the next 20 years brings.”

Along with their trophy, each of the winners was presented with a brand new £10 note from Royal Bank of Scotland, which had been introduced into circulation on Wednesday.