Awards were presented across 15 diverse categories, demonstrating business excellence in areas such as customer service, marketing, innovation and export.
Alderman Allan Ewart MBE, Chair of the Council’s Development Committee, said: “I am proud to have the opportunity to support and work with businesses within the Lisburn Castlereagh area. These business awards are the ideal opportunity to acknowledge the business excellence and innovation being achieved by our local companies. Congratulations to everyone who entered the awards, our finalists and winners.”
Amongst those honoured were Business Person of the Year, Robin Mercer of Hillmount, High Rise and Employers for Childcare won the Best New Business Award and Best Social Enterprise Business Award. The highly competitive Best Licensed Eating Establishment was won by The StillHouse @ Hughes Craft Distillery, Moira.
Robin Mercer of Hillmount said: “I’m absolutely humbled and extremely proud. When my name was announced as the winner of Business Person of the Year, my family saw me speechless for probably the first time in a very long time. It’s an honour to be recognised by Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council for being deemed the best trader in the local area, in a business opened by my grandfather 80 years ago this summer. This award is truly special. It’s for my wife Edith, our family, our staff and loyal customers who support my ambition, determination, drive and dedication to our business every day.”
The ceremony, hosted by Holly Hamilton, also featured entertainment performances by Arco Electric and Irish dance group Slide Step.
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Holly Hamilton, host of the Lisburn & Castlereagh City Business Awards 2020
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Adam Hewitt, Martin Symington and Robert Hewitt collected the Best Family Business Award on behalf of winner Pure Roast Coffee Ltd from award sponsor Pat Heaney of Plastec.
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Hana Hughes and Ryan Mullan collected the Best Licensed Eating Establishment Award on behalf of winner The StillHouse @ Hughes Craft Distillery from award sponsor Richard Sherry of Ulster Tatler.
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David Keys, Cecilia McCluskey and Peter Mulholland collected the Best Non-Licensed Eating Establishment Award on behalf of winner FINE from award sponsor Alister Beverley of Pure Roast Coffee.