Bangor Business Awards 2008
On Thursday 22nd May the cream of local businesses gathered at the Clandeboye Lodge to celebrate the 8th Bangor Business Awards. The annual event, a key date in the local business diary, solidified its position as the premier corporate event in North Down as once again it attracted more than 400 party goers dressed to the nines enjoying the comedy of local funny man and compere for the evening William Caulfield. After the awards process guests were able to dance the night away to the music of the Housemates.
Following addresses from principal sponsor of the 2008 awards, the Northern Bank, Chair of Bangor & Holywood Town Centres Ltd George Priestley OBE and President of the Bangor Chamber of Commerce, Evan Ward the awards process got underway.
The first award of the evening was the Excellence in Customer Service Award - Independent Retailer sponsored by Bangor Chamber of Commerce. The category which was judged by mystery shoppers was awarded to joint winners Sammy Mellon & Sons and Surf Mountain. Judges commented that ‘this was a hotly contested award and there were two companies here who the mystery shoppers said went beyond their expectations in terms of the service they received.’
Jermon were the sponsor of the second award of the evening - Best Commercial Premises. This award aims to recognise excellence in both interior and exterior business premises in terms of visual impact and innovative design which is fit for purpose. Kevin Kahans were announced as the winner with the judges commenting that ‘This property definitely has the wow factor!’
Jostling for the Best Small Business Award were Hebron House B & B, Feherty Travel and the Red Berry Company. Sponsored by Gillian Campbell Estates the hotly contested award went to Feherty Travel after judges commented that “their ability to combine old-fashioned expertise and a state of the art I.T. system to bring about significant and sustained business success, while focusing on customer needs.”
Northern Irelands leading legal practice, Wilson Nesbitt were the sponsor of the Best Revamped Business Award. Denroy Plastics received the award after judges commented how they “were able to demonstrate how they improved efficiency, enabling them to enter new markets and use new technology to improve the flagship product.” Gillian Campbell Estates and the Red Berry Coffee Company were the other finalists
Dorothy Perkins won the Excellence in Customer Service Award, Multiple Retailers beating off competition from finalists Marks & Spencer and Monsoon. The award was sponsored by Grafton Recruitment.
South Eastern Regional College provided the sponsorship for the Training in the workplace award. Judging in this category centred on evidence of commitment to both enhancing employee potential and improving business performance through training. Finalists were Serviceheat and the Frying Squad, with The Frying Squad impressing judges how they have gone above and beyond the normal requirement for training in their sector to claim the award
The highly sought after Best New Business Award sponsored by NDDO was up next. This award recognises new businesses with big ambitions, which have started within the last two years. Leadership Management International saw off competition from Bangor Corporate & Conference Centre and Sunflower Sandwich Bar to claim the award.
The Old Inn Crawfordsburn was the winner of the Excellence in Customer Service Award, Tourism & Hospitality Sector sponsored by Armagh & Down Tourism Partnership. They beat off competition from Cairn Bay Lodge and Hargreaves House.
3M were the sponsors of the Environment Award which recognises exceptional improvement in business performance achieved through good environmental policies such as recycling which has resulted in cost reduction and profit growth. Finalists were Gary Dunlop Motorsport and Priceless with the former coming out on top due to how their implementation of a strict environmental policy has brought about wide ranging benefits to the business, the community and the environment.
The Best Business Website sponsored by the Bank of Ireland was awarded to the Clandeboye Lodge Hotel who faced stiff competition from Gillian Campbell Estates and the Old Inn Crawfordsburn. Judges commented that the “website produced is highly efficient, stylish and easy to use and has brought remarkable business benefits”
Qebis Ltd illustrated to the judges how their robust growth strategy which included expansion of services and changes made to the revenue mix, resulted in remarkable growth to win the Business Growth Award sponsored by Signal. Other finalists in this category were Clandeboye Lodge Hotel and Old Inn Crawfordsburn.
Excellence in Customer Service - Service sector, sponsored by J Hatty & Co was the next award of the evening and was won by Gillian Campbell Estates. They impressed the judges by “exceeding expectations of the mystery shoppers by providing a professional but friendly service.” Wallhangers and Wilson Nesbitt Solicitors were the other finalists in the category.
In a highly competitive award sponsored by Bangor & Holywood Town Centres Ltd, Rioja were victorious in the Best Eatery award. Facing competition from Babettes, Sunflower Sandwich Bar & Wolseys Bar & Restaurant, Rioja came out triumphant due to their relaxed atmosphere, friendly service and their well thought out menu.
North Down Community Safety Partnership were the sponsors of the much coveted Best Licensed Venue Award. Esplanade Bars & Restaurant beat off competition of Betty Blacks and Wolseys Bar & Restaurant to claim the award.
MCA Systems won the First Trust Bank sponsored Export Growth / Cross Border Trade Award after facing competition from Lighting & Design Ltd and PIA Rossini Ltd.
The penultimate award of the evening was the Employee of the Year award; this category recognises the unsung heroes of business. Judges commented that Graham Parker who won the award of Sally & Deans had been nominated due to his positive and helpful attitude, thoughtful attention to detail and ability to build great relationships with customers and staff.
Principal sponsors of the Bangor Business Awards the Northern Bank were up with the final award of the evening, the highly anticipated Commitment to Bangor Award. This year the award went to Iain Pennick who was nominated as he “continues to give of his time, energy and experience to the Bangor Business Community without and expectation of return other than enjoying the satisfaction of being part of a vibrant and forward thinking business community”.
For photographs of the evening click here
Click here for previous reports
