Record Entries for 2025 Ballymena Business Awards

This year’s Ballymena Business Excellence Awards has seen a record number of entries from businesses across the Ballymena area.

Whilst entries were scheduled to close on the 22nd August, the Chamber of Commerce who organise the awards were conscious that businesses are busy and allowed entrants an extra three days to complete any entries started before the deadline.

Ballymena Chamber of Commerce President Mark Wiggins said: “We are delighted with the response from local businesses.

“Last year saw a record number of entries and we were not expecting to beat that record this year.

“However, the number of entries not only shows how important the Business Excellence Awards are to local businesses but also the strength and vibrancy of our local economy.

“We have entrants from new businesses which have only opened within the last few months as well as applications from some of the biggest employers in Northern Ireland’.

Mark added: “The number of entries will pose a challenge for the judges however as a Chamber we are delighted to have this problem and absolutely delighted with the response from businesses right across the area. This year we have introduced two new awards, the Diversity and Inclusion Award and the Team of the Year Award which both attracted multiple entries.”

The next stage of the awards will see judges shortlisting a number of awards for interviews and ‘mystery shops’ being completed for those businesses who have applied for awards in the retail and hospitality sectors.

Tom Wiggins, Chamber’s Chief Executive said: “The hard work for our judges starts now although I am not sure eating at some of our first-class hospitality venues can really be seen as hard work.

“As Mark said we are absolutely delighted with the response.

“This year we have over 40 businesses applying for awards who have never entered the process before and overall, we saw an 18% increase in applications, which shows the level of interest in the awards which are going from strength to strength each year.”

The mystery shops and interviews will be completed by the second week in September with entrants being informed if they have been selected as finalists shortly after.

This year’s principal sponsor is Mid and East Antrim Borough Council who have supported the event for a number of years. Ballymena Chamber is extremely grateful for the support of Council and it’s individual award sponsors as without their support it would not be possible to host the awards. The process will culminate with the glittering Awards Gala Evening in The Tullyglass House Hotel on Thursday 23rd October 2024 where guests will be treated to a five-course meal with entertainment from local band, New Light. The evening will again be compered by Cool FM’s Pete Snodden.