Greater Newry Area Celebrates Success
A confident Newry business community celebrated the success of local business at this year’s Greater Newry Area Business Awards, in the city’s Canal Court Hotel & Spa.
The glittering awards ceremony, organised by the Newry Chamber of Commerce & Trade and sponsored by Newry, Mourne and Down District Council and Shelbourne Motors, was attended by 500 local business people from across the Greater Newry Area.
Speaking at the Awards, Paul Convery, President of Newry Chamber said:
“The Greater Newry Area Business Awards have grown from when they first started in the early 2000s to be the highlight of the local business calendar. From that early beginning, the awards are now a shop window for the district’s business to showcase their talent and broadcast all that is good about our region.”
“The Chamber received 250 high quality award applications from the many successful, ambitious and talented businesses who are the real driving force behind our local economy. The strength of this year’s awards clearly illustrates a confident, determined business community, focused on creating jobs and generating wealth and prosperity for our region.”
“Twenty-seven individual awards were made on the night, with the award for Outstanding Contribution to the Greater Newry Area going to Michael Blaney, former Managing Director of Autoline Insurance. In his 21 successful years with the company, turnover increased from £2m to £55m, 200 jobs were created and the group made a significant contribution to local charities and community organisations.”
“Best Businessman was awarded to Shaun Copas of COPAS Technologies Ltd in Kilkeel, with the Best Businesswoman award going to Jackie Reid from Deli-Lites Ireland. Conor Cole from Cole Groundwork Contracts was awarded Best Young Entrepreneur for 2019.”
Congratulating all the winners, Paul Convery said:
“The Greater Newry Area is recognised as a place synonymous with entrepreneurship, innovation excellent service, product quality and customer care. This year’s awards have recognised the very best that this region’s business community has to offer. Well done to all 250 companies that entered and congratulations to the winners.”
WINNERS
1. Best Social Enterprise
Winner: W.B.R Credit Union Ltd, Warrenpoint
Sponsored by: Newry & Mourne Co-operative & Enterprise Agency in association with Oriel Developments
2. Best Bar
Winner: The Bank Bar & Bistro, Newry
Sponsored by: Q Radio
3. Best Green Business
Winner: ABP Food Group
Sponsored by: Canal Court Hotel & Spa
4. Best Tourism & Hospitality Business
Winner: Montalto Estate
Sponsored by: Newry, Mourne and Down District Council
5. Best Use of Social Media
Winner: Zen Orthodontics & Rejuvenation Clinic
Sponsored by: Brilliant Red Digital
6. Best Customer Service (Multiple Retailer)
Winner: Specsavers, Newry
Sponsored by: The Quays Shopping Centre
7. Best Marketing Initiative
Winner: Southern Regional College
Sponsored by: The Newry Democrat
8. Best Innovative Business
Winner: Exact CNC NI Ltd
Sponsored by: First Derivatives plc
9. Best Export Business
Winner: Deli-Lites Ireland
Sponsored by: Norbrook Laboratories
10. Best Manufacturing & Engineering Business
Winner: COPAS Technologies Ltd
Sponsored by: Collins Aerospace
11. Best Young Entrepreneur
Winner: Conor Cole – Cole Groundwork Contracts.
Sponsored by: O’Hare & McGovern
12. Best New Business
Winner: Granite Exchange
Sponsored by: Damolly Developments
13. Best Customer Service (Independent Retailer)
Winner: Cherrypic
Sponsored by: Newry BID.
14. Best Place to Eat (Best Restaurant & Bistro)
Winner: The Whistledown Hotel
Sponsored by: Autoline Insurance Group
15. Best Place to Eat (Best Café & Takeaway)
Winner: Synge & Byrne, Slieve Gullion
Sponsored by: Autoline Insurance Group
16. Chef of the Future
Winner: Jason McClory – Courtney’s Steakhouse.
Sponsored by: Henderson Foodservice
17. Best Kept Business
Winner: The Galley Restaurant & Takeaway, Annalong.
Sponsored by: The Newry Reporter
18. Best Beauty, Health & Wellbeing Business
Winner: Newry Foot Clinic & Seraphic Holistic Therapies
Sponsored by: Jack Murphy Jewellers
19. Best Place to Work
Winner: MJM Group
Sponsored by: The Irish News
20. Best Professional Services Business
Winner: Autoline Insurance Group
Sponsored by: Bank of Ireland UK
21. Best Small Business
Winner: The Hub Newry
Sponsored by: Translink
22. Best Business Growth
Winner: McAllister Group
Sponsored by: Southern Regional College
23. Best Family Business
Winner: Clanrye Lighting & Electrical Supplies
Sponsored by: First Trust Bank
24. Best Business in the Community
Winner: Warrenpoint Port
Sponsored by: Newry Credit Union Ltd
25. Best Businesswoman
Winner: Jackie Reid – Deli-Lites Ireland
Sponsored by: Younique Aesthetics
26. Best Businessman
Winner: Shaun Copas – COPAS Technologies Ltd
Sponsored by: Younique Aesthetics
27. Outstanding Contribution to the Greater Newry Area
Winner: Michael Blaney MD – Ashtree Financial Services.
Sponsored by: Buttercrane Shopping Centre