Finalists are named for 2024 Ballymena Chamber's Business Excellence Awards

THE names of the finalists for the 2024 Ballymena Business Excellence Awards have been revealed.

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

Tom Wiggins, Chamber of Commerce Chief Executive said ‘We were taken aback to some extent by the number of entries this year with entries up by over 55% from 2022. Indeed, we have had to increase the number of finalists this year. This is for two reasons firstly some of the awards attracted as many as fifteen entrants and the standard of entries has been exceptionally high’.

Chamber President, Mark Wiggins said that while the number and quality of the entries created their own pressures, it is great to see that Ballymena businesses continue to grow and thrive.

“As a Chamber we are delighted that so many local businesses have decided to enter the awards, indeed thirty-six businesses who had never previously entered the awards have applied this year,” he said.

“I would like to take this opportunity to thank Mid and East Antrim Borough Council our principal sponsor together with our other sponsors, without their support there would be no awards.”

The glittering Gala evening will be held in the Tullyglass House Hotel on Thursday, October 24.

The compere for the evening will be Cool FM’s Pete Snodden. The eertainment will be provided by ‘New Light’.

“We are looking forward to another fabulous evening, showcasing all that is good about business in the local area,” said the Chamber President. 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 where the winners will be announced”.

To purchase tickets, or for more information please contact Tom Wiggins at office@ballymenachamber.co.uk .

FINALISTS

Employee of the Year Award – Sponsored by Wrightbus

Anna Weir Honeybees

Brendan Church – Flax Restaurant

Danielle Anderson

Shay Scullion – The Wild Duck

Stuart Shaw -Starbucks

Best Young Person in Business Award – Sponsored by Fairhill Shopping Centre

Jack Fullerton, Atlas Smart Technologies Ltd.

Kirsty Gooderham, Oh Baby Ultrasound

Savannah Bracewell, - Travelmax

Walid Masri, The Kurdish Barber

The Sustainability Award – Sponsored by Power NI

Galgorm Melts

Moy Park

NEO Environmental

Norbev

Rituals Cosmetics

Business Growth Award – Sponsored by AIB

Dowds Group

Dougie’s Goodies

H2O Swimming Academy

MB Motors

Neo Environmental

Skills Development Award – Sponsored by The Gallaher Trust

Knockdene Healthcare

Moy Park

Norbev

Riada Resourcing

Customer Service Award, Service Sector – Sponsored by Riada Resourcing

Curtis Toyota

Gibson Paving

The Ivy Room

The Wool Tower

We Are Waymaker

Most Promising New Business – Sponsored by Bank of Ireland

Duality Healthcare

Galgorm Melts

GMG E-Farm

LC Accountancy Services

SWK Health and Safety Consulting

Involvement in the Community - Sponsored by Fuelwise

Adair Arms Hotel

Cranswick Country Foods

Danske Bank

Dowds Group

The Blackstone Bar and Off Licence

The Right Place to Work Award – Sponsored by Galgorm

Cranswick Country Foods, Cullybackey

MB Motors

Moy Park

Norbev

Riada Resourcing

Best Innovative Small Business Award – Sponsored by Michelin Development UK

Ballymena Block Management

Chilltec Refrigeration Ltd.

Create and Conquer

Galgorm Melts

Vera McCullough Jewellery

Family Business of the Year Award – Sponsored by Danske Bank

Café Sorrento

Fleck Metal Solutions

Gibson Paving

Martin Engineering Supplies Ltd.

McAtamney’s Traditional Butchers, Ballymena

Best Use of Digital Media Award – Sponsored by Rapid Agency

Bob & Berts

Dougie’s Goodies

Gibson Paving

MB Motors

Travelmax

Social Enterprise of the Year Award – Sponsored by The Ballymena Business Centre

Good Morning Ballymena

Gracehill Old School Trust

Habitat ReStore, Ballymena

Harmony Studio, Ballymena

MEA Affordable Food Club

Best Restaurant Award – Sponsored by Moy Park

Castle Kitchen and Bar

Flax

Gattos

The Grouse

The Thatch

Best Coffee Shop Award – Sponsored by Clarke

Blend and Brew

Bob and Berts

The Secret Garden

Winnies 1975

Customer Service Award, Hospitality – Sponsored by Firmus

Flax

Rococo Kells

The Blackstone

The Grouse

The Thatch

Best Take Away Outlet Award – Sponsored by RiverRidge

7 Towers Burgers

Bait and Battered

McAtamney’s Traditional Butchers

Sunnys

The Merchant

Customer Service Award, Retail – Sponsored by Samuel Cumming and Son Solicitors

McAtamney’s Traditional Butchers

Rituals

River Island

Smyth’s Wallpaper and Paints

Travelmax

Tyre Town

Business Premises Award – Sponsored by The Country Garage Ballymena BMW

Blend and Brew

MB Motors

Oh Baby Ultrasound

River Island

The Ivy Room