The Alaturka Turkish restaurant, in Ipswich town centre, is this year’s winner of the Ipswich Independents business award, run by Ipswich Central with the support of the Ipswich Star.

Ipswich Star: Alaturka win All About Ipswich Award Zeynep Cicek, Cielo Avila, Suleyman Odemis, Ilhan Sahinoglu, Semra Avcikaya, Gul Angelov, Sennur KayaAlaturka win All About Ipswich Award Zeynep Cicek, Cielo Avila, Suleyman Odemis, Ilhan Sahinoglu, Semra Avcikaya, Gul Angelov, Sennur Kaya

Alaturka, previously a runner-up in the competition, in 2013, can now proudly display the award in Great Colman Street.

Semra Avcikaya received the award from Paul Clement of Ipswich Central and said: “It is absolutely fantastic. We are very, very happy.

“We have a great team here and we are very grateful for the support of our customers who voted for us.”

Paul Clement handed over the trophy and said: “What makes a town different is its quality independents and we certainly have a very special one here.

“This is well deserved.”

Semra added: “We were runners-up last year and we decided to work harder and go for it again.

“Our customers are great supporters for us as well, and will be very happy for us. We couldn’t have done it without their support.

“In the restaurant you have to keep moving forward. We are always trying to make things better.

“We have a suggestions board, for our staff, and we have customer comments cards as well.

“We have been here nearly three years now and we want to keep on growing.

“We are already taking bookings for Christmas, which is very good.”

The All About Ipswich Independent Business of the Year competition was launched on the July 4 in conjunction with the nationally recognised Independence Day celebrations which promoted the role of independent shops and other town centre businesses.

The competition was organised by Ipswich Central, to truly celebrate those stores that give Ipswich its unique character and feel.

Businesses were voted for by members of the public via All About Ipswich voting cards in-store, via ipswichstar.co.uk and via email and Twitter.

After receiving just under 3000 public votes the top voted independent businesses were then mystery shopped and judged by a panel of expert judges.

The judges included Debbie Noye, promotions manager at Archant; Neil Roberts, store manager at Debenhams; Sylvie Brookman, marketing nanager at East of England Coop; and last year’s winner Colin Williams from Jacey’s Coffee House.

After a tough judging process, Ipswich Central were pleased to announce that the Independent Business of the year 2014 is Alaturka.

The Turkish restaurant is run by Semra Avcikaya and is a perfect example of a fantastic, independent business in the heart of East Anglia’s Waterfront Town, said Ipswich Central.

The judges said: “The business prides itself on fantastic food and a service that is like no other. All staff members are friendly, welcoming and extremely helpful offering customers an exciting Turkish experience. The restaurant regularly host Turkish nights for its customers providing a unique evening that cannot be experienced anywhere else in the town. The menu is also extensive offering all customers a taste to suit their needs.”

The two runners up to the competition for 2014, were Riley and Riley a beautiful and unique jewellery store on Buttermarket Street run by Mark and Tessay Riley and Image Beauty Salon, an award winning salon in the heart of the town run by Sue Carter.

For winning the competition, Alaturka has been awarded a number of promotions including a range of marketing opportunities with All About Ipswich, web coverage and video features as well as a glass certificate and award.

Alarturka Restaurant, 9 Great Colman Street, Ipswich. Telephone 01473 233448.

www.alaturkadining.com

www:allaboutipswich.com