(F/Row) - Mrs Adrienne Wiggins, Mrs Hannah Wiggins, Alderman Beth Adger MBE (Mayor Mid and East Antrim Borough Council), Mid and East Antrim Borough Council’s Interim Chief Executive Valerie Watts, Laura Calderwood and Chamber Honorary Secretary Carol Wilson
(B/Row) - Pete Snodden, Mark Wiggins (President Ballymena Area Chamber of Commerce and Industry), Tom Wiggins (Chief Executive Ballymena Area Chamber of Commerce and Industry) and Mr Rory Watts.
Ballymena businesses were out in force on Thursday night (October 24th) at the Gala Awards evening in Tullyglass House Hotel to celebrate the 21st year of The Ballymena Business Excellence Awards.
This year not only saw a record number of entries but a record Gala attendance with 470 guests from the local business community in attendance.
This year saw 49 businesses which never had previously applied, enter the awards with 10 of the prestigious awards going to non-Chamber members.
The awards are organised annually by Ballymena Area Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the principal sponsor this year was Mid and East Antrim Borough Council.
Cool FM’s Pete Snodden was the compere for the evening and his first duty was to invite Chamber President Mark Wiggins to speak. Mark said:
“Tonight, is about celebrating the success of the Ballymena Business Community focusing on the huge contribution made by local businesses and to highlight the commitment made by so many individuals.
“I have been involved with the Chamber Management Committee for the past 8 years and I am passionate about helping our businesses develop and grow. As a Chamber we see the awards as an excellent platform promoting Ballymena to the rest of Northern Ireland as a great place to live, work and do business.
“We are extremely proud of the fact that 470representatives from local businesses are here tonight to prove that business in the Ballymena area is healthy and vibrant and that we are one of the centres of entrepreneurial excellence within the Northern Irish business community. Tonight is without question one of the biggest business events in Northern Ireland.”
Carol Wilson, Chamber Honorary Secretary, presenting a gift from the Chamber Management Committee to the newlyweds Mark and Hannah Wiggins.
Mark continued:
“I would like to thank all our sponsors, especially our principal sponsor Mid and East Antrim Borough Council. Chamber has had an excellent working relationship with the Council in recent years and we look forward to building on that relationship in the future. To our individual category sponsors, many of whom return year on year to support the awards, we really are grateful for your support, without your support there would be no awards”.
Mark went on to thank Barbara and Russell Campbell from Barbara Campbell Training and Consultancy who had the difficult job of organising the judging process. Together with the staff at Tullyglass House Hotel and the Chamber’s backroom team, including Gillian McKeown and Festival Productions.
Mark finished by thanking the Chamber’s Chief Executive Tom Wiggins who organised the Awards process and The Gala evening assisted by his wife Adrienne and the Chamber’s Honorary Secretary Carol Wilson, with a special mention for the support provided by Mark’s wife Hannah.
Mayor of Mid and East Antrim, Alderman Beth Adger MBE, said:
“Mid and East Antrim Borough Council is proud to continue its role as the main event sponsor for what is undoubtedly a highlight in the local business calendar.
“We remain committed to working together with the Chamber and our local entrepreneurs to ensure that Ballymena remains a successful place to do business, whilst also providing opportunities and support for future growth and prosperity”.
The Mayor also mentioned the work that Council has been undertaking in the local area in particular the success of the St. Patrick’s Barracks development and the work currently being undertaken to develop and support new and existing businesses in the Ballymena area.
The Mayor finished, saying:
“Congratulations to all of the finalists and winners, and to the organisers of the awards, which are a fitting recognition of the innovation, commitment and resilience of our brilliant local business community.”
Chamber would like to thank Tullyglass House Hotel for their excellent food and first-class service. The highlight of the evening of course was the presentation of the awards, and the atmosphere was electric as the awards were introduced by Pete Snodden.
Julie Martin from The NI Children’s Hospice accepting a cheque for £20,158 from Tom Wiggins Ballymena Chamber of Commerce CEO and Chamber President Mark Wiggins, with Pete Snodden and Hannah Wiggins. The money was raised at the Chamber’s recent Charity Golf Day organised to raise money for the NI The Children’s Hospice.
During the evening Mark Wiggins, Chamber’s President and Tom Wiggins, Chamber’s Chief Executive presented a cheque to NI Children’s Hospice for £20,158 the proceeds of the Chamber’s 4th Annual Charity Golf Day.
The cheque was accepted by Julie Martin on behalf of the Ballymena Hospice Support Group and The NI Children’s Hospice This means that in the past three years Chamber and its members have raised over £80,000 for these worthy causes, through their charity golf days.
Tom Wiggins, Chamber’s Chief Executive said:
“This year as a Chamber, we have again sponsored two new awards.
“The first award ‘The Special Recognition Award’ was presented to Gracehill Old School Trust to acknowledge the fantastic achievement of having Gracehill Moravian Village designated as a UNESCO World Heritage site.
”The second award sponsored by Chamber, the ‘Services to The Community Award’ was presented to Debbie Chestnutt from Good Morning Ballymena to thank Debbie and her volunteers for the support they provide to elderly and often isolated people within the local community.”
During the evening a raffle was held with the proceeds going to the NI Hospice and The NI Children’s Hospice.
Chamber would like to thank the following businesses for donating prizes for the raffle:
• Galgorm Resort
• The Grouse
• Galgorm Castle Golf Club
• Create and Conquer florist
• Tom and Adrienne Wiggins
The raffle raised a fantastic amount of £3,748 for The NI Hospice and The NI Children’s Hospice.
The record-breaking evening was rounded off with entertainment from New Light who soon had the guests on their feet dancing the night away.
AWARD WINNERS
• Customer Service Award – Retail Sector
Winner - Smyth’s Wallpaper and Paints
Sarah McCormick (left) and David Smyth of Smyths Wallpaper & Paints, receive the Customer Service Award from sponsor Karen Cherry
Highly Commended – Tyre Town
Ellen McFarland and Simon Michael of Tyre Town receive a Highly Commended award in the Customer Service category
• Sustainability Award
Winner – Neo Environmental
Paul Neary of Neo Environmental receives the Sustainability Award from Valerie McLernon of category sponsors Fairhill Centre
Highly Commended – Moy Park
Frank Reid of Moy Park, who received a Highly Commended certificate in the Sustainability Award section, is seen here with Laura Hughes of of category sponsors power N.I.
Best Use of Digital Media
Winner – Dougies Goodies
James Scullion, Hannah Gregg, Ross Evans, and Aaron Wallace of Dougies Goodies receive the Best Use of Digital Media award, which was sponsored by Rapid.
Highly Commended – MB Motors
Malcolm Beattie (right) of MB Motors receives a Highly Commended certificate in the Best Use of Digital Media from Karl Harffy of category sponsors Rapid
• Social Enterprise of The Year
Winner – Habitat Restore Ballymena
Isobel Kerr and Afomia Desta of Habitat Restore, Ballymena, winners of the Social Enterprise of the Year Award are seen here with James Perry of category sponsors Ballymena Business Centre
• Best Restaurant Award
Winner – Flax
Winner – Castle Kitchen and Bar
Just like last year the judges were unable to separate the top two premises whose food offerings were exceptional and the service offered could not be faulted. This year the judges have decided there were two winners in the Best Restaurant category with the Castle Kitchen & Bar, plus Flax picking up the main awards. Our picture shows Victoria Brown Angela Crawford, Simon Black, Brendan Church, Daryl Adams and Jackie Adams with Michael Hempton (left) of category sponsor Moy Park.
• Best Coffee Shop Award
Winner – Bob and Berts
Kerry Smyth, Ailish Deeney and Debbie McGrory of Bob and Berts receive the Best Coffee Shop Award from Tony Convery of category sponsors Clarke
• Customer Service Award – Hospitality Sector
Winner – The Grouse
Highly Commended – Rococo Kells
George Sima (left) and Dan Poloboc of Rococo Kells, receive a Highly Commended Award in the Customer Service Award category from David Beck of sponsors Firmus Energy
• Customer Service Award- Service Sector
Winner – Gibson Paving
Allen and Sharon Gibson of Gibson Paving receive the Customer Service Award (Service Sector) from Gary Thompson of category sponsors Riada Resourcing
• Services to The Community Award
Winner – Good Morning Ballymena
Debbie Chestnut of Good Morning Ballymena receives the Services to The Community Award from Tom Wiggins (left) and Chamber of Commerce President Mark Wiggins
• Business Premises Award
Winner - River Island
Kathie Faloona (left) and Danielle Anderson (right) of River Island receive the Best Business Premises Award from Jessica Allen of sponsors The Country Garage.
Highly Commended – The Ivy Room
Joanne Adams of the Ivy Room received a Highly Commended certificate in the Best Business Premises Award
• Skills Development Award
Winner – Knockdene Healthcare
Laura Kirk and Eileen McCann of Knockdene Healthcare receive the Skills Development award from Ian Paisley, who presented it on behalf of sponsors Gallagher.
• Employee of The Year
Winner – Shay Scullion, The Wild Duck
Shay Scullion of the Wild Duck Inn, Portglenone, receives the Employee of the Year award from Kerry-Anne Jones of sponsors Wrightbus
Highly Commended – Stuart Shaw, Starbucks Fairhill Shopping Centre
Stuart Shaw of Starbucks, who received a Highly Commended certificate in the Employee of the Year category is seen here with work colleague Rebekah Goligher
• Right Place to Work
Winner – Riada Resourcing
Gary Thompson and Aileen Mark of Riada Resourcing receive the Right Place to Work Award from Leigh Heggarty of category sponsors Galgorm.
Highly Commended – Norbev
Michael Thomas and Imogen Thomas of NORBEV received a Highly Commended certificate in the Right Place to Work Award
• Most Promising New Business
Winner – GMG E Farm
Gareth Gordon and Gareth McDonald of of GMG E-Farm receive the Most Promising New Business Award from Sean McGuckian of sponsors Bank of Ireland
Highly Commended – Duality Healthcare
Sean McGuckin of category sponsors Bank of Ireland, presents a Highly Commended certificate to Dr Blathnaid Carlin and Sarah Hoey of Duality Healthcare in the Most Promising New Business sector
• Best Innovative Small Business
Winner – Galgorm Melts
The winner of the Best Innovative Small Business Award Lucinda Graham of Galgorm Melts receives her award from Noel Mulholland of category sponsor Michelin.
Highly Commended – Create and Conquer
Pamela Gourley of Create & Conquer received a Highly Commended certificate in the Best Innovative Small Business Award from Noel Mulholland of category sponsors Michelin
• Family Business of The Year
Winner – Fleck Metal Solutions
Nirvana and George Fleck of Fleck Metal Solutions whh won the Family Business of the Year award from Peter Houston of Danske Bank
Highly Commended - Café Sorrento
Paul and Christopher Esler of Café Sorrento who received a Highly Commended award in the Family Business of the Year category
• Special Recognition Award
Winner – Gracehill Old School Trust
Ballymena Chamber of Commerce president Mark Wiggins and his wife Hannah presented the Special Recognition Award to David Johnston and Andrew Lowry of Gracehill Old School Trust
• Best Take Away Award
Winner – 7 Towers Burgers
Cameron Magee and Andrew Linton of Seven Towers Burgers receive the Best Take Away Outlet Award from Stephen Thompson of sponsors River Ridge
• Involvement in The Community Award
Winner – Cranswick Country Foods
Tony Demaine and Emma McAleese of Cranswick Country Foods received the Involvement on the Community Award from Dominic Drysart of category sponsors Fuelwise
• Best Young Person in Business Award
Winner – Jack Fullerton
Winner of the Best Young Person in Business Award, Jack Fullerton of Atlas Smart Techniologies, receives his award from Valerie McLernon category sponsor Fairhill Shopping Centre.
Highly Commended – Savannah Bracewell
Savannah Bracewell of Travelmax, who received a Highly Commended certificate in the Best Young Person in Business Award, is seen here with her mum Maxine Bracewell.
• Business Growth Award
Winner – Dowds Group
Maura O’Mullan and Nigel Connolly of the Dowds Group receive the Business Growth Award from Karen McAuley (right) of category sponsors AIB
• Commitment to Ballymena Award
Winner – John Stuart MBE
John Stuart MBE of receives the Commitment to Ballymena Award from Mayor of Mid & East Antrim Cllr Beth Adger