The Liverpool-based business was recognised for creating an inclusive and supportive working environment where women are represented across all levels, from creative studios to leadership roles.

The ranking is based on anonymous employee feedback and considers areas such as trust in leadership, professional development, and workplace culture. 

Great Place to Work UK described the list as celebrating organisations where women can “flourish”.

Cynthia Cartwright, commercial director, who was recently awarded a Fellowship at the Merseyside Women of the Year Awards, said: “To be named one of the UK’s Best Workplaces for Women in the same year I received my MWOTY Fellowship is incredibly humbling. It validates our continuous investment in empowering our team, nurturing talent, and creating space for every woman to thrive at Wongs.”

Peter Wong, director at Wongs, added: “Creating a culture where everyone – and especially women – feel seen, heard, and supported has always been a priority for us.”

This event marked the beginning of a series of events hosted by NML partners while some NML venues are undergoing development work.

The brand first partnered with National Museums Liverpool back in 2005 as part of its goal to support the arts sector in the North West, particularly in Liverpool, and in 2024, it strengthened its support by becoming NML’s first associate partner.

Guests were able to gain an insight into the world of DMR from its dedicated jewellery and watch experts.

DMR jewellery designer Vix Smith talked the guests through the fascinating design and sketch process, while its in-house goldsmiths were on hand to showcase the brand’s skills in its jewellery workshop.

The group’s watch specialists were also available throughout to present timepieces from some of the Swiss luxury watch brands, while DMR’s  master watchmakers offered an insight into the intricate craft of watchmaking in its on-site lab.

Abby Jackson, corporate partnerships manager at NML and DMR managing director, John Robinson explained the significance behind their partnership with National Museums Liverpool.

Jackson said: “We thought that it would be really lovely to have the event here at the showroom as this is also a space which is full of creativity, full of storytelling, design, craftsmanship and beauty in all its forms.

“We’re really proud of this partnership and we just want to say a huge thank you to DMR. We really look forward to working with them in the future to see how this partnership can flourish even more.” 

Robinson added: “We don’t set out to necessarily raise our company profile in this way. We support the NML because we feel it’s the right thing to do. Being recognised for doing so is a bonus.

“I think the people of Merseyside recognise the companies who can support our community, and they (there?) are many. If you draw from a community, it’s important to “put back in”. Liverpool is such a welcoming city, and we want to be part of that “Welcome”.

He concluded: “The highlight for us is seeing the excitement in a group of school children when they arrive and suddenly a world of learning is brought to them. What they experience they are more likely to understand. That has to be good for everyone, and I hope they are all proud of NML. If our support inspires just one child to think creatively, our work is done and if more tourists come to enjoy our city, we all have a chance to benefit.”

H&T Pawnbrokers has announced the opening of its new store in Belle Vale shopping centre in Liverpool.

The store will reportedly bring H&T’s financial services, jewellery and watches to more customers across the region.

H&T said customers can get their items valued in-store, have jewellery cleaned and repaired, and browse a range of new jewellery.

Additionally, the new Liverpool site will offer gold, jewellery and watches purchased for cash, pawnbroking loans from £10 – £50,000, travel money at 0% commission, cheque cashing, and Western Union money transfer.

Mark Harrold, operations director, said: “We are delighted to bring Pawnbroking back to Belle Vale and support the area. Our team cannot wait to welcome customers into the store with our range of financial services and incredible value pre-owned jewellery.”

Zoe Parry, regional manager, added: “As well as bringing H&T’s great range of services to the local area, we are happy to bring new jobs to the community and would encourage those who might not have considered Pawnbroking as a career to stop by and speak to us about current opportunities.”

Nicki Barnes, area manager, said: “Our Belle Vale store is staffed by a team of 4, all local to the area and committed to serving the community. We currently have a number of vacancies across the Merseyside including deputy manager positions that we would love to find great people for.”

The husband-and-wife team and joint managing directors of the company scooped the accolade at a black tie ceremony held in Liverpool’s Titanic Hotel.

Maureen said: “I’m Merseyside born and bred, so to be awarded alongside Lee as Business Person of the Year is both an honour and privilege.

“Independent businesses bring such a wealth of goods and services to the economy. The flexibility you have as an independent operator means you can truly honour your customer’s every wish, which is what we continue to focus on each day at Mococo.”

Lee added: “As a family run, independent business it is humbling to receive this award and be nominated alongside so many successful and hard working entrepreneurs.

“It is almost a decade since we founded Mococo, and in that time we have proved that independent retailers can really make a mark on the high street, even in the toughest of financial climates.”

Organised by Merseyside law firm Morecrofts and backed by Liverpool’s City Central BID, the Merseyside Independent Business awards are in their third year and aim to recognise the region’s independent business sector.

Alison Lobb, judge and partner at Morecrofts, said Mococo is a real inspiration and success story for independent businesses in the region.

She said: “Maureen and Lee Hooson have stayed true to their ethos of concentrating on impeccable customer service and luxurious touches which sets Mococo apart. They have proved that independent businesses can thrive on the high street and their continued growth is impressive to behold.”

Mococo recently announced the relocation and expansion of its Chester store in a bid to improve its presence in the city.

Amongst the rings, earrings and pendants stolen from the Southport premises were a set of silver coins with the images of Egyptian queen Nefertiti and Egyptian pharaoh Tutankhamun on them.

Officers believe the thief, who struck the Royal Arcade in Lord street at 4am on August 11, may attract people’s suspicions if he tries to sell the coins. Detectives are urging people to keep an eye out for the distinctive valuables.

It is believed the thief made his escape with a second offender who helped him gain entry to the store, but remained outside until they fled together down West Street.

Detective Constable Rose Aitken, from Sefton CID, said: “This was a carefully planned burglary which was carried out in the middle of the night when the jewellers was closed. The main offender has selected items of jewellery of particularly high value from the display cabinets as well as cash from the till.

“The stolen jewellery amounts to thousands of pounds and we are determined to do all we can to get it back and arrest the offenders. The coins in particular are very distinctive and I am sure someone would remember being offered silver coins with Egyptian figures on them.”

She urged anyone who believes they may have been offered the coins to contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 and tell the police who it was offering the coins, what they looked like and where it happened.

Jewellers in Merseyside, Cumbria and Lancashire have all been targeted in recent weeks by men asking to view expensive items before grabbing them and running off.

The incidents, which happened between April 22 and May 30, have resulted in an estimated £30,000 worth of jewellery being stolen.

Officers believe that the man in the images may have important information that could help them progress their investigations into the crimes.

As well as the reported thefts, police said that there have been incidents where a customer has been seen as acting suspiciously in other jewellers in Southport, Heswall, Stoke, Shrewsbury, Telford and Dumfries, Scotland.

Detective Constable Neil Hughes from Liverpool CID said: “Thefts from businesses are not victimless crimes and the jewellers in question have lost thousands of pounds in goods and staff have been left upset at being tricked.

“The offender on each occasion has spoken with an Irish accent and these incidents have happened in lots of different areas in a short space of time, even though some locations are quite far apart. We are treating them as linked and it is likely that the offender or offenders are moving around in a car or on public transport.

“We are working closely with the retail and security industries to raise awareness of this crime and to make sure shop security procedures are in place.”

Police have urged anyone who knows this man or has seen him recently to call Merseyside Police on 0151 777 4065 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.