A fantastic set of Merton businesses will grace the world famous All England Lawn Tennis Club in Wimbledon tonight for the Merton Best Business Awards.
The event, organised by Merton Chamber of Commerce, is completely sold out and if previous occasions are anything to go by, the atmosphere will be buzzing with success-minded companies keen on picking up the big prizes.
Diana Sterck, Chief Executive of Merton Chamber of Commerce, said: “These awards are a showcase for the very best businesses in the borough and I expect there will be the same palpable atmosphere of success as there have been for previous Grand Finals. The All England Lawn Tennis Club, steeped in history itself, is an amazing and appropriate venue.“Everyone shortlisted is a winner because their businesses have been judged by other business people. They have been given a very powerful endorsement.”
Shortlisted companies will be there in force, taking members of staff along for a morale-boosting night out and a chance to let their hair down. Diana added: “Savvy businesses will already have made much out of the fact they have been shortlisted, which is a great achievement in itself, by putting the details on their websites and on press releases.“For the category and overall winner of course there will be the opportunity to showcase their success to customers and suppliers. Winning an independent award provides credibility and status, can raise your profile, including with the press, and thus open doors to new customers and suppliers.” Diana also added that the awards night itself will be a great networking opportunity with other winning companies. Including the overall winner, 16 categories will be decided on the night, including Best Young Business Person of the Year.
Diana Sterck said: “One of the themes of the launch night was young people when a Young Enterprise team from a local school turned up for some advice! It is vital for the Merton and British economy that we encourage and reward young business people for their fantastic efforts.”
Young people are also included in the entertainment on the night. The music before and after the awards is being provided by Natural Passion and The Essentials, both from South Thames College. This year there are also awards for district business communities within Merton.
The categories were for Business of the Year in Colliers Wood, Morden, Raynes Park, Wimbledon Village and Wimbledon. Diana said: “We are giving businesses from across the borough a chance to shine. These awards recognise the vital contribution of the very distinct parts of the borough. Together they make Merton more than the sum of its parts!”
The title of Overall Business of the Year, sponsored by WSM Advisors Ltd will go to one of the category winners. Merton Council will also be presenting a Special Award.
The shortlisted businesses are:
Best Creative Sector, sponsored by Haines Watts: Reflect Productions, Simmons Creperie, STEM4, Boggio Studios, Aztec Event Services and MaByLand Ltd.
Best New Business, sponsored by Morrisons Solicitors: Tots Landing Ltd, Schmidt Wimbledon, Mini-Engineers Limited, Moss & Co, Coffee in the Wood and Bluebird Care.
Best Service Excellence, sponsored by Andrew Scott Robertson: Simmons Creperie, AquaPhysio Ltd, Katja Nuutinen Couture, Capital training Group Ltd, Citrus Gifts, Anderson Food Hygiene Limited.
Best Young Business Person of the Year, sponsored by South Thames College: Stephanie Silva, of Gibbs; Tamykha Patterson of New Wimbledon Theatre; Yemin Ali of Capital Training Group Ltd; Clare Bushell of Data Liberation Ltd; Ryan Colburn of Aztec Event Services and Marc Muller of Gina Conway Lifestyle Salon and Spa
Colliers Wood Business of the Year, sponsored by Connecting Colliers Wood: Eddisonwhite Ltd, Eddie Catz Wimbledon Ltd and Willows Pre-School.
Enterprising Business, sponsored by Geeks: MaByLand Ltd, Flying Fantastic, STEM4 and Mum2mum market Ltd.
Entrepreneur of the Year, sponsored by Hartley Fowler:Robert Brinkley of Brinkley’s Estate Agents; Wendy Skinner of AquaPhysio Ltd, Gina Conway of Gina Conway Lifestyle Salon and Spa, Sylvia Anderson of Anderson Food Hygiene Limited, Christopher Wigan of Flying Fantastic, Cath Harrop of Mum2mum market Ltd.
Going Green award, sponsored by Merton Council: Microbee Ltd, Direct Cleaners Ltd, New Wimbledon Theatre, Riverford Home Delivery, Aztec Event Services
Morden Business of the Year, sponsored by Merton Chamber of Commerce: Simmons Creperie, AquaPhysio Ltd, and Anderson Food Hygiene Limited.
Raynes Park Business of the Year, sponsored by Events & PR: STEM4, Webster Darby, Merco, and Tennison Property.
Team Development, sponsored by Time & Leisure:Willows Pre-School and Gina Conway Lifestyle Salon and Spa. The Extra Mile, sponsored by MVSC: Reflect Productions, Katja Nuutinen Couture, Willows Pre-School, GEM & Co Financial Services LLP, Mash Media Group Limited and Tennison Property.
Wimbledon Village Business of the Year, sponsored by Wimbledon Village Stables: Cannizaro House and fit8.
Wimbledon Business of the Year, sponsored by Love Wimbledon: New Wimbledon Theatre, The Justin James Hotel Ltd, Capital Training Group Ltd, Citrus Gifts, Mash Media Group Limited and Holistic Fitness Studios.
Notes to editors
About Merton Chamber of Commerce:
Merton Chamber of Commerce is a limited company and non-profit making organisation which was set up in 1992. Its overall objective is to protect and develop the interests of the business community based in the London Borough of Merton, South London.
Merton Chamber of Commerce is also a business support agency and has a customer base of around 4000 businesses. Services include a business Helpdesk, business development workshops, one to one business advice, a Go Green service, help in raising finance as well as in the recruitment and support of young people.
For further information, interviews, contact: Diana Sterck, diana.sterck@mertonchamber.co.uk
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