Bangor Business Awards highlight a successful year

The 2002 Bangor Business Awards, which have been described as "an excellent example of organisations working in partnership for the benefit of anyone", have concluded at the recent awards ceremony held in the Clandeboye Lodge Hotel.

Broadcaster Pamela Ballentine hosted the event that was attended by over 350 business leaders representing a wide cross-section of the SME landscape.

The event generated a great deal of interest both in terms of representation in the 18 award categories but also from sponsors, local and international. Ulster Bank, NIE, Dunnes Stores and the Bangor Chamber of Commerce were among the larger home-based sponsors supporting the awards categories, whilst global giants Coca Cola were on hand to sponsor the Customer Service Award.

The top award on the night, the Commitment to Bangor Award, was a close-run affair and in the end judges could not separate Denman International and Menarys/Tempest who tied the award.

Hugh Black, manager of The Flagship Centre, the main sponsor of the evening’s entertainment, spoke of the importance of the awards as a platform for supporting local best practice and excellence in business. The awards covered a broad range of business activities to North Down Borough Council an individual who has made an exceptional commitment to Bangor will receive a special award.

Highlighting the significance of the Bangor Business Awards, Hugh Black said: “The awards are an excellent example of organisations working in partnership for the benefit of everyone. The Bangor Chamber of Commerce together with the Town Centre Management team has put together a programme, which encourages businesses to do better and to shout about it."

Evan Ward, President of the Bangor Chamber of Commerce, went on to congratulate all those who had entered: “Everyone who has taken part in the awards initiative, is a winner. The quality of applicants has been exceptionally high and our independent judging panels have had a tough job selecting the best.”

Stephen Dunlop, Town Centre Manager, said: “This is the second year of the awards and, because last year was managed in such a professional manner, I had no doubt that this year would be another success."

Among those on hand to present the awards were former head of the NI Civil Service Sir Kenneth Bloomfield, MP for North Down Lady Sylvia Hermon and Deputy Mayor of Bangor Valerie Kinghan.

(GMcG)