The Best in the Business!

TV Personality Sarah Travers hosted the 2015 Causeway Coast & Glens Business Awards sponsored by Willis Insurance & Risk Management, which was held on Friday 9th October at the Lodge Hotel, Coleraine. As all enjoyed the drinks reception from Old Bushmills Distillery, the evening provided a chance to network whilst the anticipation grew before the awards presentation.

This prestigious ceremony recognised and honoured the best of the Borough’s businesses on a local and national level. It highlighted that the Causeway Coast & Glens Borough is continuing to grow, compete and provide services at a local and global level.

In the opening address Ian Donaghey MBE, President of Causeway Chamber highlighted some of the recent activities of Causeway Chamber of Commerce “Causeway Chamber is recognised for helping businesses grow by providing networking opportunities; access to government and key decision makers; a range of support initiatives and contributing to local economic and community development.

For the first time 18 Chambers from across Northern Ireland have joined together to produce a joint policy statement ‘Let’s Do Business’. This document urges local councils to commit to backing policies that support business growth. In this way they will be supporting local communities, local people and local employers. We call on all councils to support the priorities put forward by the local chamber in their area. Building upon the excellent relationships between local chambers and local government, we believe the suggestions put forward in this document can support business and facilitate job creation. In turn, councils should promote these priorities to the Northern Ireland Executive. This will make every part of Northern Ireland a better place to live and work.”

Over 290 guests attended the event including Mayor Michelle Knight McQuillan, Professor Deirdre Heenan PVC (Communication) & Provost (Coleraine & Magee), Chief Executive and Town Clerk David Jackson, MEP Martina Anderson, MLA’s, local businesses, award sponsors and the 48 finalists who eagerly waited to see if they were successful as winners of their category.

Richard Willis, Managing Director, Willis Insurance & Risk Management commented,

“The standard of entries was outstanding this year and testament to the hard work shown by the local businesses. The North West is fast becoming a hot-bed for a number of industries who specialise in their field and many are unique to the province. It also highlighted that whilst many started in the North West they are continuing to grow and expand across the region and the future looks bright for the Causeway Coast and Glens area.”

Annette Deighan, Chamber Operations Manager added, “The Causeway Coast & Glens Business Awards would not have been possible without our businesses and the continued support of all our sponsors. It is an honour to host these awards to recognise the achievements and success in our Borough. It shows as a Borough we are continuing to excel and compete at a regional and national level.

This year there were 18 awards comprising of many categories sponsored by individual companies. The Chamber was delighted to welcome Willis Insurance & Risk Management as their Principal Sponsor of this year’s awards. The judges were overwhelmed with the level of entries received which is a testament to the success of these bi-annual awards and the achievements of all sectors in the Borough.”

AND THE WINNERS ARE...

Green Business Award sponsored by firmus energy

Winner – Ballyrashane Creamery

Independent Retailer of the Year sponsored by Autoline Insurance Group

Winner – McCools SuperValu

Finalists -Homemade Beautiful & John Laverty Optometrists

Best Young Person in Business sponsored by Armstrong Medical Ltd

Winner – Darrel McCauley, Altec Renewables

Finalists – Stephen Vandevyver, I Care Opticians & Dan Lavery, LongLine Surf School

Best Start up Business sponsored by Causeway Enterprise Agency

Winner – Articlave Daycare Nursery

Finalists – Granny Annies & Weeker Tees

Training & Development Award sponsored by Ulster University, Provost’s Office

Winner – McCools SuperValu

Finalists – Manor Architects & Dunluce Restaurants Ltd

Social Enterprise of the Year Award sponsored by Diamond Recruitment Group

Winner – Can

Finalists – Ashes to Gold & Causeway Enterprise Agency

Best New Product/Service of the Year sponsored by SJC Hutchinson Engineering

Winner – Armstrong Medical Ltd

Finalists – ATG Group & Landed

Multiple Retailer of the Year sponsored by First Trust Bank

Winner – McAtamneys

Finalists – Bob & Berts

Excellence in Corporate Social Responsibility sponsored by Riada Resourcing

Winner – Autoline Insurance Group

Finalists – Roadside Garages

Innovation Award sponsored by Invest Northern Ireland

Winner – RiverRidge Recycling

Highly Commended – Ballyrashane Creamery

Finalist – Northern Ceramics Ltd

Best Marketing Campaign Award sponsored by Ulster University, Ulster Business School

Winner – Ground Espresso Bars Ltd

Finalists – Roadside Garages & The Chocolate Manor

Small Business of the Year Award sponsored by Bank of Ireland

Winner – Instagiv

Finalists – Broighter Gold & The Real Health Store

Good Food Award sponsored by Kenny’s

Winner – The Lodge Hotel

Finalists – Donnelly’s Bakery & Coffee Shop and The Boatyard Coffee Shop

Business Growth of the Year Award sponsored by Danske Bank

Winner – Christies Direct

Finalists – Ground Espresso Bars Ltd & McAtamneys

Agri Business Award sponsored by ATG

Winner – Broighter Gold

Finalists – McCloskey Farms & Ballyrashane Creamery

Tourism Business Award sponsored by Tourism Ireland

Winner – Roe Park Resort

Finalists – Marine Hotel & Shola Coach House Boutique B&B

Business Person of the Year sponsored by Ulster Bank

Winner – Mark Hutchinson – SJC Hutchinson Engineering Ltd

Finalists – Johann Muldoon, Manor Architects and Danielle Tagg, Articlave Daycare Nursery

Lifetime Achievement Award sponsored by Causeway Coast & Glens Borough Council

Winner – Brendan McIntyre, B&E Security Systems