Watch: Mid Ulster's leading entrepreneurial stars recognised at 2025 awards gala in Cookstown

The glittering event, hosted by the Mid Ulster Mail, honours the very best entrepreneurial achievers from the Cookstown, Magherafelt and Dungannon areas.

The awards continue to grow and are now the most presitigious event on the local business calendar.

Ian Henry from leading Magherafelt-based contruction firm Henry Brothers – the awards headline sponsor - welcomed guests to the black-tie event in The Royal Hotel on Thursday night.

Before the awards ceremony itself commenced, there was a delicious meal served by The Royal staff, which was enjoyed by all those attending.

Local broadcaster, Adrian Logan, once again compered the awards ceremony – now in their 14th year – keeping the audience entertained with some lively banter as he went along.

The Mid Ulster Mail would like to extend its thanks to the awards headline sponsor Henry Brothers Ltd, and all the category sponsors – P McVey, McGeary Engineering, Cooper Parry, Mid Ulster District Council, PA Duffy, McNicholl Caravans, Manor Architects, Openreach, Specialist Group.

Win or lose, a memorable evening was enjoyed by all those who attend.

The winners in the various categories are as follows:

Best Local Restaurant (People's Choice) - The Taphouse

This family friendly venue focues on quality and standard on a daily basis. Always trying to improve and raise the standard in both the local and wider area. The Taphouse have a strong community ethos, using local suppliers and supporting local businesses and charities on a weekly basis.

Business in the Community Award - Specialist Group

Specialist Group prioritises people, community, and purpose, creating positive impact through charitable initiatives, educational partnerships, inclusivity, and ethical growth.

Manufacturing Business of the Year - Specialist Group and Heron Manufacture Ltd

Specialist Group drives Mid Ulster manufacturing excellence through innovation, skilled people, lean practices, sustainable growth, local economic impact, and international market expansion.

Heron Manufacture Ltd drives innovation, sustainability, and growth - empowering people, advancing manufacturing excellence, and strengthening communities across the UK and Ireland.

Best SME Business - McNicholl Caravans Ltd

McNicholl Caravans combines family values, innovation, and sustainable growth - transforming from one man start up to multi-award winning UK leader in holiday parks. What distinguishes them from other SMEs is the depth and breath of their operations: they just don't just sell caravans - they offer a fully integrated service.

Family Business of the Year - The Jungle

The Jungle blends family values, innovation, and heritage, transforming a rural farm into Northern Ireland's leading outdoor adventure and tourism destination.

Small Family Business of the Year - PB Paving Contracts Ltd

PB Paving, a family run business, combines resilience, innovation, and community focus to deliver exceptional paving projects across Ireland and the UK.

Innovation Award - Colloide

Colloide delivers innovative, sustainable engineering solutions, transforming water, energy and enjvironmental sectors to create measurable benefits for people and the planet.

Tourism Business of the Year - Glenshane Country Farm and The Jungle

Glenshane Country Farm transformed from a family hill farm into a sustainable, authentic tourism destination, enriching visitors, local economy, culture and Mid Ulster's profile.

The Jungle, Northern Ireland's premier adventure destination, blends thrilling activities, immersive heritage experiences, sustainability, and community engagement to boost Mid Ulster tourism.

Employee of the Year - John McGurk

John McGurk's 31 year dedication, leadership, mentorship, and technical expertise drive Heron Joinery's excellence, culture, efficiency, and team development every day.

Rural Business of the Year (New for 2025) - The Jungle

The Jungle evolved from a struggling Carmichael family farm into a thriving, sustainable, award winning rural adventure and tourism destination in Mid Ulster.

Best New Business Award - Cornerstone Coffee Company

Family run coffee shop fostering connection, community, kindness and hope through inclusie spaces, events, youth mentoring, local partnerships, sustainability, and meaningful experiences.

Sustainability Award - Heron Manufacture Ltd

Heron Manufacture advances sustainability through energy efficiency, circular waste reuse, ethical practices, innovative timber products, and community focused environmental initiatives.

Employer of the Year - Jim Quinn

Every successful business has a leader at its heart. Jim Quinn completely transformed J&K Coaches into a thriving, people focused transport business, creating jobs, supporting staff development, and benefiting the local community.

Business Leader of the Year - Ben Boyd

Ben Boyd turned Ben's Ice Cream Studio into a thriving, community focused business through innovation, strategic growth, leadership, and commitment to socal impact. Ben embodies the qualities of an outstanding business leader.

Lifetime Achievement Award - Bertie Cuddy

Bertie Cuddy started his retail career in 1957 working for Hughes store in Cookstown. Mr. Hughes opened a second store in Magherafelt for a relative who had lost his parents at a young age. Unfortunately, this did not work out, and Bertie was dispatched to manage the Magherafelt branch. He subsequently bought the store in 1960, and R. A. Cuddys was formed.

The original store was purchased for the sum of £2000! Bertie purchased the adjacent shop in 1965. Various renovations and extensions over Bertie’s 65 years in retail created an 18,000 sq. ft. department store in the centre of Magherafelt. A store in Ballymena followed in 1995, and another in Carrickfergus in the year 2000.

Sixty-five years have seen tremendous changes in retail, which Bertie has always embraced and invested in. Even at the age of 88, he still enjoys spending time in the shop, meeting and talking with customers, and passing words of experience to the staff.