Ballymena business awards - and the finalists are ..

The awards are organised annually by Ballymena Borough Chamber of Commerce and Industry and this year the principal sponsor is Ballymena Borough Council.

Rodney Kernohan, Chamber Business Development Manager said that the entries reached record levels this year.

“To ensure the integrity of the awards the judging is carried out by Insight Mystery Shopping from Belfast. The Chamber is not involved in the judging in any way. The judges this year were hugely impressed not only by the number of entries but the exceptionally high quality.

“The gala evening will be held in Tullyglass House Hotel on Thursday 30th October. The compere for the evening will be Jackie Fullerton and I am looking forward to another excellent evening. Tickets are selling well for what is now the leading event in the Ballymena business calendar. I would like to congratulate all the finalists and wish them good luck for the gala evening when the winners are announced”.

To purchase tickets, or for more information please contact Rodney Kernohan at [email protected] or on 07799 797672

Finalists

Customer Service Award Retail Sector (Independent Retailer) – First Trust Bank - Gloonan Gallery; Hansam Crafts; Waveney Eye Care (NI) Ltd

Customer Service Award Retail Sector (Multiple Retailer) – Power NI - Blue Inc; DW Sports Fitness; Goldsmiths; Tommy Hilfiger

Customer Service Award Convenience Store – K & G McAtamney - Eurospar Cullybackey; Spar Ahoghill; Spar Broughshane; Spar Doury Road

Best Eating Establishment Award – Marcon Fit-Out -Adair Arms Hotel; Fairways Restaurant (Ballymena Golf Club); Go Sun Restaurant; The River Room (Galgorm Resort and Spa)

Best Small Eatery/Coffee Shop Award – firmus energy - Classic Cuisine; Creative Gardens Galgorm; Ground Espresso Bar; Nobel Café

Customer Service Award Service Sector – Riada Resourcing - First Trust Bank; Halo Hairdressing; The Coach House – Relaxation and Wellbeing Centre; The Fun Factory (NI) Ltd

Customer Service Award Hospitality Sector – Autoline Insurance Group - Adair Arms Hotel; Fairways Restaurant (Ballymena Golf Club); Go Sun Restaurant; Nobel Café

Business Premises Award – Fairhill Shopping Centre - Creative Gardens (Galgorm); Mobalpa at Ashgrove Contract Furniture; Slemish Design Studio (Architects); The Fun Factory (NI) Ltd

Best Business Website Award – Danske Bank - ballyprint.com; Flax Creative; FMK Architecture Ltd; GES Group (Grants Electrical Services)

Excellence in Customer Service Management Award – JTI - K & G McAtamney (Wholesale Meats); Ulster Bank; Wallis

Right Place to Work Award – Black Advertising - Ballymena Electoral Office for Northern Ireland; Goldsmiths; Halo Hairdressing

Most Promising New Business Award – Ballymena Business Centre - Eagle Bar and Grill; Shrink Complete Fitness; Slemish Design Studio (Architects); Team Kit

Best Small Business Award – Michelin Tyre PLC -Ballymena Mortgage Centre; ballyprint.com.

Export Business of the Year Award – Wrightbus - Clarke Facades; Dinsmore; Sunstart Bakery

Innovation Award – Invest Northern Ireland - FMK Architecture Ltd; Garage Door Systems; Heatboss/Okotech Ltd

Involvement in the Community Award – Diamond Recruitment - First Trust Bank; Front Page Bar; Ulster Bank

Entrepreneur of the Year Award – Bank of Ireland - Eugene Clarke (Clarke Facades); Kieran McAtamney (K & G McAtamney Butcher & Deli); Roy McKeown (Raceview Mill Ltd)

Apprentice of the Year Award – Northern Regional College - Anna Marie Portis (Next); Gary Jones (GES Group – Grants Electrical Services); John Kearns (Michelin Tyre PLC)

Employee of the Year Award – Grafton Recruitment - Laura Caldwell (DUP Advice Centre); Maggie McGaughey (Front Page Bar); Roseanna Service (Millside Restaurant Gracehill)

Business Growth Award – Ulster Bank - Dinsmore; GES Group (Grants Electrical Services); K & G McAtamney Wholesale Meats