29 January 2016
By Bryan T. Smyth
bryan@TheCork.ie
Pictured at the award ceremony is Caroline O’Brien from Unforgettable Flowers who were the winners of the Retail Award. Pic: Darragh Kane
Fighting off stiff competition of more than 80 successful nominated businesses across the Northside, JLT Tiles was awarded the overall Northside For Business Award. At a ceremony held in the Ambassador Hotel, Cork last night (Thursday) a total of 7 award winners were announced across several different categories including Retail, Service, Hospitality, New Business, Established Business, Family Business and Social Enterprise.
Speaking at the award ceremony Adrienne Rodgers, Chair of the Northside For Business Steering Committee and Head of Enterprise at LEO, Cork City said,
“We are delighted to announce the category winners of the Northside For Business Awards. The standard of entries was a superb showcase of the indigenous businesses on the Northside, who are creating employment, providing excellent services and adding to the value of the area and local economy.
These awards are a new initiative developed to recognise the variety and quality of the businesses on the northside of Cork. Congratulations to JLT Tiles who were named as the overall winner for 2016; the company is a fantastic example of a thriving Northside business.”
A significant employer on the Northside, manufacturing company ACME Blinds Ltd won the award for Established Business while Cronin’s Coaches Ltd took the award in the hotly contested Family Business category.
The Northside For Business Hospitality Award went to Brackens Bakery, while Unforgettable Flowers won the Retail Award. Complete Calibrations took home the Service Business Award and Churchfield Community Trust won the Social Enterprise Award. Special Merit Awards were presented to Parmac Sprinkler Installations and Southern Pumps.
“The Northside For Business Awards recognise all that Cork’s Northside has to offer – the people, the work ethic and business culture but most importantly the businesses. I would like to congratulate all of the very worthy winners, and thank our sponsors AIB for their support” said JJ O’Connell, Director, Plato and Northside For Business.
Northside For Business was established in 2012 as part of the Northside Economic Development Group and aims to support the development and growth of enterprise and employment on the north side of Cork City.
“I would like to congratulate all the winners on their fantastic achievements. AIB sponsored these awards as we see The Northside For Business’ organisation as an invaluable support to Cork business people. AIB is here to support business enterprise and start-ups across all sectors, which will fuel sustainable economic growth and employment in the years to come said Sinead O’Connor, Branch Manager, AIB Blackpool (Sponsor).
The judges for the Northside For Business Awards included John Mullins, Chair of Northside For Business, Sinead O’Connor, AIB Blackpool Manager, Adrienne Rodgers Cork City LEO, Paul Mc Guirk, Cork City Council.
About Northside For Business:
In 2012, the Cork City Development Board approved a proposal to develop a northside economic development plan which it believed would contribute to the regeneration of the northside of the City. The Northside Economic Development Forum was set up to develop and drive this plan.
The Northside Economic Development Forum is representative of Cork City Council, Local Enterprise Office, Cork City, Cork City Partnership, Cork Chamber, Department of Social Protection, HSE, PLATO , The Revenue Commissioners, RAPID and the Educational Training Board.
Award winners:
- Established Business Award: ACME Blinds Ltd
- Family Business Award: Cronin’s Coaches Ltd
- Hospitality Award: Brackens Bakery
- New Business Award: JLT Tiles Ltd
- Retail Award: Unforgettable Flowers
- Service Business Award: Complete Calibrations
- Social Enterprise Award: The Churchfield Community Trust
- Overall Northside For Business 2016 Award: JLT Tiles Ltd
- Special Merit Award (Family Business):· Parmac Sprinkler Installations Ltd – The O’Connell family & Southern Pumps Ltd – The Barry family
