Record entry for business awards

The finalists have just been announced after a rigorous judging process by a panel of independent judges.

Businesses from right across the Borough are represented in the 13 categories with a mix of independent, multiple and individuals across the retail, services and individual categories.

Councillor Carla Lockhart from Craigavon Borough Council said: “We are absolutely delighted with the response to the awards and indeed the standard of entry. There is some really great work going on in many different sectors in the Borough and it is fantastic to see businesses and individuals keen to talk about their successes.

“We look forward to an exciting evening on Thursday, May 24, and we hope that people will come along to support the very best of local business in Craigavon.

“We would like to thank our sponsors who are not only local enterprises but supporters of other businesses including Almac, Lurgan Chamber of Trade & Industry, Portadown Chamber of Commerce, Southern Regional College (SRC), HASS (Health and Safety Services), Invest Northern Ireland, CIDO (Craigavon Industrial Development Organisation), Moy Park and Darryl Mooney Photography.”

Kerry Lyle, from lead sponsor Almac said: “It is extremely encouraging to see such a response from our local businesses to the awards. We are delighted to be associated with the Craigavon Business Awards and we are looking forward to the announcement of the Sir Allen McClay Young Business Person of the Year. We have no doubt that he or she will follow in the successful footsteps of 2010’s winner Gareth Cairns from SlurryKat.”

The awards will take place on Thursday, May 24, at 7pm hosted by BBC’s Jim Fitzpatrick at the Mayes Hall in Craigavon Civic and Conference Centre. To book your place visit www.craigavonbusinessawards.net or email [email protected]

The finalists are: Ballydougan Pottery, Bleu Apple, BMCA Solutions, CliniSport, Clubworld Travel, Dandelion Lane, Datos Professional Solutions, Faith Jewellers, Funky Monkeys NI, Green Energy Technology, HSBC, I Do Wedding Cars, Irwin’s Bakery, J + W McCall Suppliers (N.I.) Ltd, John R. Dowey and Son, Mackey Opticians;

McCleary & Company Ltd., Newforge House, Ooh la la Boutique, Paul McAlister Architects, Performa Sports Limited, Portadown Locksmiths, Portadown Recycling & Skip Hire, Peter Pan’s Neverland, Palomo Café / Bistro, Pinnacle Worldwide, Portadown Audi, Reprographic Systems (NI) LTD, Sainsbury’s, Segway NI, Sew Good, Sitara Morgan, Slurrykat Limited, Southern Health and Social Care Trust, Strictly Juke Boxes, The Meat Cleaver, The Planters, Treasure Trails, Trinity Gift Shop, TK Knox and Sons, Wade Training, and Zion’s Den LTD.