Thursday 14^th October saw Causeway Chamber host it bi-annual Causeway Coast & Glens Business Awards hosted by Sarah Travers at The Lodge Hotel. The evening provided a chance to network whilst enjoying a drinks reception provided by The Lodge Hotel and Belfast Artisan Distillery.

This prestigious ceremony recognised and honoured the best of the Borough’s businesses on a local and national level. The Chamber was delighted to welcome back Randox Health as the Principal Sponsor of this year’s awards.

In the opening address David Boyd, President of Causeway Chamber said, “This is our first major in person business event in over 18 months, in fact to be exact it is 846 days since we last met for the Business Awards here in the Lodge Hotel and we could not have picked a bigger one to return with. It is fantastic to be here. The business awards enable us to recognise the very best of business from across our region after such a challenging 18 months. The awards will highlight the positive contribution that so very many businesses in the Causeway Chamber make to the economy and to society. We have a wealth of businesses within our borough, organisations large and small, entrepreneurs, start-up innovators, all who compete at the highest level they can, and tonight is an opportunity to celebrate those talents – recognising the progress made and reaching forward to further excellence and creativity, underpinning our Chambers message that Causeway Coast & Glens Borough is an ‘Outstanding Place to live, work and play”.

210 guests attended the event including Mayor Richard Holmes, Vice Paul Bartholomew, Chief Executive David Jackson, Minister for Department of Economy Gordon Lyons, MLA’s, local businesses, award sponsors and the 80 finalists who eagerly waited to see if they were successful as winners of their category.

Dr Peter FitzGerald CBE FREng DL, Managing Director, Randox Health commented:

“We are delighted to once again be sponsoring the Causeway Coast and Glens Business Awards, which play a very important role across the Borough; bringing together the best local businesses, celebrating their success, and demonstrating what the region has to offer to a global market.

“As a key provider of Covid-19 testing in both the UK and Ireland we appreciate that the Covid pandemic has been a particular challenge to our business community and so this year, more than ever, one of the most important things the private sector can do is to support and celebrate each other. We strongly believe in the importance of working together and by highlighting our collective achievements, innovations and robustness over the past year, we can inspire and motivate others, as well as increase our reach beyond these shores.

“This year we have been very impressed with the calibre of finalists in each category, and choosing the winners was no mean feat. Each of the nominees absolutely deserved their place in the Causeway Coast and Glens Business Awards and we would like to take the opportunity to say congratulations to all the award winners. We look forward to following their journeys and wish them all the best in the future.”

Economy Minister Gordon Lyons said: “I am delighted to join Causeway Chamber of Commerce for the Causeway Coast and Glens Business Awards 2021. It goes without saying that the last 18 months has been a very difficult period for business, but I am continually impressed by the resilience, determination and creativity shown by business owners and their staff members across every sector right across Northern Ireland. Causeway Coast and Glens Borough is no exception.

“We are now fully focused on economic recovery. It is not only businesses like those being honoured by these awards, but indeed every local business, which are at the forefront as we seek to accelerate the return to normality. Generating revenue and employment opportunities, while providing high quality goods, services and experiences to their customers, is the hallmark of these companies. I congratulate everyone receiving awards tonight and wish the entire business community in Causeway Coast and Glens every success for the future.”

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

The judges were overwhelmed with the level of entries received which is a testament to the success of these biennial awards and the achievements of all businesses within the Borough. The awards highlighted that the Causeway Coast and Glens Borough is continuing to grow, compete and provide services at a local and global level. Congratulations to all the winners and finalists on the evening.

Accommodation of the Year sponsored by AIB Coleraine

Marine Hotel

Agri Business of the Year Award sponsored by Bank of Ireland

Wilson Agriculture Ltd

Best Marketing Initiative sponsored by Armstrong Medical

Riada Resourcing

Best Start up Business sponsored by Enterprise Causeway

Turley Legal

Best Young Person in Business sponsored by Northern Regional College

Laura McIlveen – Laura McIlveen Photography

Business Growth Award sponsored by Danske Bank

BCM Security Associates

Environmental Sustainability Award sponsored by The Electric Storage Company

Treix EV Ltd

Excellence in Corporate Social Responsibility sponsored by Riada Resourcing

MCL Insure Tech in partnership with Action Cancer

Family Business of the Year sponsored by firmus energy

J Wilson Agri

Good Food Award sponsored by First Choice Selection Services

Amici Restaurant

Retailer of the Year sponsored by Causeway Coast & Glens Borough Council

Stable Lane Boutique

Small Business of the Year sponsored by Abbey Autoline

North Coast Pilates & Physiotherapy

Social Enterprise of the Year sponsored by McDonald’s

The Designerie

Technology Business of the Year sponsored by North West Regional College

MCL Insure Tech

Tourism Business of the Year sponsored by Tourism Ireland

Causeway Boats

Training & Development Award sponsored by Ulster University

Hutchinson Engineering

Lifetime Achievement Award sponsored by Causeway Coast & Glens Borough Council

James Smyth, Smyth Steel