Belfast Business Awards shortlist revealed

30 April 2015

Today sees the announcement of the shortlisted finalists of the 2015 Belfast Business Awards, organised by Belfast Chamber of Trade & Commerce with Principal Sponsor, BANK OF IRELAND UK.

Over 60 of Belfast’s top businesses have made the shortlist in 14 categories, spanning retail, hospitality, digital marketing, sustainability, growth and individual awards. The gala ceremony will take place on Wednesday 27th May 2015 at Belfast’s City Hall.

Mark O’Brien Commercial Manager, Bank of Ireland UK said “Belfast is a fantastic place to do business and Bank of Ireland UK is a proud sponsor of the Awards. The scale, quality and breadth of entries are fantastic, showing that Belfast business is alive and enhancing the City’s reputation nationally and internationally. Many congratulations to the whole business community in Belfast.”

Paul McMahon, President of Belfast Chamber of Trade and Commerce said: “We had a terrific level of entries this year and stage one of the judging was very tough.

Over the next couple of weeks, a series of interviews will take place with a panel of judges to decide the overall winners in each category.

“There will also be extensive mystery shopping for the customer service and hospitality based categories, so I encourage everyone to go the extra mile and really showcase their business to their absolute best ability.

“The awards night is shaping up to be a fantastic event, with world-class entertainment organized, hosted by Sarah Travers and Marc Mallett. Tickets are now on sale and can be purchased by contacting Belfast Chamber of Trade and Commerce.”

Paul concluded: “I would like to take this opportunity to thank all of the entrants for the time and effort that has gone into the entries and to congratulate those shortlisted.”

For a full list of the shortlisted businesses, visit: wwwbelfastbusinessawards.co.uk. For tickets contact Martina Connolly onm.connolly@belfastcentre.com or call 028 9033 1399.

The Belfast Business Awards Gala Ball will take place at Belfast City Hall on Wednesday 27th May 2015. For further information visit  www.belfastchamber.com.

—ENDS—

For interviews or further information please contact Angela Hunter, Birdsong Communications, 07970 294 406 or emailangela@birdsongni.co.uk.

Notes to Editors:

Full shortlist below:

CATEGORY BUSINESS NAME
Customer Service Excellence, MULTIPLE Retailer Boots
Customer Service Excellence, MULTIPLE Retailer Lidl NI
Customer Service Excellence, MULTIPLE Retailer NEXT
Customer Service Excellence, MULTIPLE Retailer Oasis Travel
Customer Service Excellence, MULTIPLE Retailer Rituals Cosmetics
Customer Service Excellence, INDEPENDENT Retailer Belfast Cosmetic Laser Clinic
Customer Service Excellence, INDEPENDENT Retailer Dawsons Music
Customer Service Excellence, INDEPENDENT Retailer PM Lighting
Customer Service Excellence, INDEPENDENT Retailer Porcellana Tile Studio
Customer Service Excellence, INDEPENDENT Retailer Scooter Specialist NI
Best New Business Crumlin Road Gaol
Best New Business Dress This House
Best New Business MINIVERSITY Creative Learning Club
Best New Business Rumour Mill PR
Best New Business The Dirty Onion
Best Marketing Initiative Abacus Recruitment
Best Marketing Initiative Traction Finance
Best Marketing Initiative Dawsons Music
Best Marketing Initiative Grand Opera House
Best Marketing Initiative Value Cabs
Best Digital Marketing Allstate Northern Ireland
Best Digital Marketing CastleCourt
Best Digital Marketing Slims Healthy Kitchen
Best Digital Marketing The Hudson Bar
Best Digital Marketing The Mac
Young Businessperson (U30) Big Bad Llama (Tony Webster)
Young Businessperson (U30) Core Systems (Emer O’Kane)
Young Businessperson (U30) Consultant, Alibi Belfast (Steven Davidson)
Young Businessperson (U30) La Bella Vita (Katie Stevenson & Sarah Graham)
Young Businessperson (U30) Utopia (Alice Sykes)
Best Company to Work for Award Adventures Day Nursery
Best Company to Work for Award Allstate Northern Ireland
Best Company to Work for Award Cleaver Fulton Rankin
Best Company to Work for Award Connect Telecom
Best Company to Work for Award Replify
Customer Service Excellence, Professional Business Services ASM Chartered Accountants
Customer Service Excellence, Professional Business Services Baker Tilly Mooney Moore
Customer Service Excellence, Professional Business Services Dunmurry Dental Practice
Customer Service Excellence, Professional Business Services Francis Hanna & Co
Customer Service Excellence, Professional Business Services MKB Law
Best Licensed Premises The Albany
Best Licensed Premises The Hudson Bar
Best Licensed Premises Horatio Todd’s
Best Licensed Premises The Dirty Onion
Best Licensed Premises The John Hewitt Bar
Best Licensed Premises Rita’s
Best Hotel IBIS City Centre
Best Hotel La Mon Hotel & Country Club
Best Hotel Ramada Plaza
Best Hotel Tara Lodge
Best Hotel The Merchant Hotel
Best Eatery / Coffee Shop Bar & Grill at James St South
Best Eatery / Coffee Shop Hadskis
Best Eatery / Coffee Shop Havana Bank Sq.
Best Eatery / Coffee Shop Slims Healthy Kitchen
Best Eatery / Coffee Shop Yardbird
Business Person of the Year Core Systems (Patricia O’Hagan)
Business Person of the Year Edwards & Co Solicitors (Dorcas Crawford)
Business Person of the Year Finaghy Business Association (John Bushell)
Business Person of the Year Oasis Travel (Kathy Hanna)
Business Person of the Year Suitor Menswear (Chris Suitor)
Best Green Business CastleCourt
Best Green Business IKEA
Best Green Business Little Wing Pizzeria
Best Green Business The Hudson Bar
Best Green Business Victoria Square
Business Growth Award BioKinetic Europe
Business Growth Award DisplayNote Technologies
Business Growth Award Porcellana Tile Studio
Business Growth Award Ross Boyd Ltd
Business Growth Award World Travel Centre Ltd