CROMPTON Place shopping centre has scooped two major industry awards, making it the best-managed shopping centre in Britain, as well as one of the most environmentally friendly.

Mark Rycraft, Centre Manager of Crompton Place, was named Town Centre Shopping Centre Manager of the Year beating three other finalists out of entries from all over the UK.

And the centre itself took the second highest award in the 2005 North-west Business Environment Awards, thanks to major efforts to reduce waste and save energy.

The SCEPTRE Awards were organised by Shopping Centre magazine to reward the best practice and the best people in the UK and Ireland retail property industry.

Mr Rycraft accepted his trophy during an awards dinner at The Dorchester Hotel in London last Tuesday. The event was attended by more than 400 guests from the retail property industry.

Mr Rycraft said: "The team here has been fantastic during my tenure.

"When I took over, we worked hard with the businesses in Crompton Place to make sure they all felt a part of the complex."

During the £2million refurbishment programme last year 180,000 shoppers a week still visted the centre.

"It looked untidy during the work, but we kept all the traders fully aware of what was happening, and they were able to maintain good trading conditions," said Mr Rycraft.

The Northwest Business Environment Awards are the region's premier awards event celebrating good business and environmental practice.

Mr Rycraft said: "In 2004, our efforts saw a reduction in waste and utilities consumption that saved more than £23,000. These award are a recognition of the work of all the centre's staff and the teamwork that was vital to achieve such high standards."