More than 17,000 people proved just how much they love Glasgow by casting their votes in a major new competition.
The Evening Times teamed up with Smooth Radio to discover the hidden gems of the region in the Love Glasgow and the West Awards.
And it will not be long until the winner of each category is announced.
The top three in each category will be invited to a glitzy ceremony on September 23 at the five star luxury Mar Hall hotel, at Erskine.
The winners will be announced at the event hosted by Smooth Radio DJs John McCauley and Sharon Oakley.
Breakfast host John said: “The votes are in, now we just have to wait until the awards when we will be donning our best gear and heading off to Mar Hall to announce the lucky winners.”
The best place to get a tasty fish supper, a calming cup of tea and where to burn off the calories are just some of the hotspots soon be revealed.
Where the Monkey Sleeps in Glasgow’s city centre has made the top three in the Best Deli category.
It’s a quirky basement cafe and takeaway and buzzes on weekdays with customers in search of an exciting sandwich or bagel.
The cafe is famous for the Stoofa – a sandwich crammed with roast chicken. red onion, sage, thyme, mayonnaise, balsamic vinegar and lemon juice.
The mammoth sandwich also comes in deluxe version, with added bacon and cheddar and max with bacon, cheddar and pastrami – so the deli is definitely in with a chance of scooping the title.
Manager Bex Rafferty, 24, said staff were delighted to be in the top three.
She said: “We had been asking everyone who came into the shop to vote for us. It’s a really nice surprise.
“I hope we might win but you never really know how far all the other contenders went with trying to get people to vote.
“We have been asking people to check the Evening Times and Smooth Radio websites to look out for updates.”
The King’s Theatre is included in the top three in the Best Theatre category.
The venue, opened in 1904, provides a prominent stage for touring musicals and local amateur productions.
It has seen performances from a wide variety of people, form comedian Frankie Boyle to legendary actress Katharine Hepburn.
The Jackson Five even appeared on the stage at a Royal Variety Performance in the late 1970s.
A spokeswoman for the King’s Theatre said: “We are delighted to reach the final and would like to thank everyone who voted for the King’s.
“It just goes to show how fond people are of the grand old lady of Bath Street”.
Mandors the Fabric Store in Renfrew Street is in the running for the top spot in the Best Shop category.
It’s a family run store which has been in business for 33 years.
Mandors stocks everything from dressmaking fabrics to patchwork and quilting fabrics to curtain and upholstery materials.
The shop recently expanded and now has premises in Edinburgh.
Director Douglas McAllister said he was “taken by surprise” to have made the final three.
He said: “I don’t think we’ve ever been nominated for an award or anything so we are delighted.
“Even for us to receive the recognition is great but we would love to win.
“We have been advertising lots recently and have loyal customers.
“I think the recession has encouraged more people to make their own things so business with us is getting better and better.”
THE FINALISTS ARE...
The top three in each category (in no particular order) are:
Best Cup of Tea
Tchai Ovna
The Hidden Lane Tearoom
Beanscene
Best Bar/Pub
Ben Nevis
La Bonne Auberge
Blue Dog
Best Restaurant
Ellistons Grill
Two Fat Ladies
The Pier Bistro
Best Deli
Where the Monkey Sleeps
Piece
Nans Famous Hot and Cold Takeaway
Best Park
Kelvingrove Park
Botanic Gardens
Pollok Park
Best Theatre
Glasgow Film Theatre
Kings Theatre
Pavilion Theatre
Best Family Day Out
Heads of Ayr
Kelvingrove Museum & Art Gallery
Glasgow Science Centre
Best Shop
Mandors
Ivad Gifts
Debenhams
Best Chippy
Chip Chick Inn
Philadelphia Fish Bar
The Chippy Doon the Lane
Best Place to Keep Fit
Dance Glasgow
Future Fitness
Virgin Active
