Shining a Light on Local Business
ROD WEBB reports from the 1066 Business Awards Ceremony
I arrived at the Montgomerie Suite at Bannatyne’s Hotel at 11am to set up the brand new Hastings Independent ‘feather flag’ – only to find the other sponsors had set up the day before. Figuring out how to assemble the flag in front of early guests was slightly embarrassing, but Molly Oliver, of Let’s Do Business, was on hand to help.
Early guests were an opportunity for a bit of networking – surely what these events are for – and I chatted to Frankie and colleagues of Frankie on the Beach (finalist for Business of the Year) as well as catching up with Luke Funnell of Project Rewild (finalist for Community Spirit category).
I also found I was sharing a table with the charming employees of Hastings Court Care Home (finalists for Sustainability Champion) plus the husband & wife team representing Bodiam Boating Station & Lime Wharf Café (finalists in People First and Extra Mile). Joining me from HIP were Victoria Kingham (Arts Editor) and Amy Davies (Judge and presenter of the New Directions award).
The UK is awash with awards, estimated at more than 4,000 annually by Boost Awards; and there’s a wide variety of categories, from media to construction, from farming to technology and, of course, business.
We’ve all participated in some way, whether it’s voting in events like BBC Sports Personality of the Year or watching televised occasions such as the BRIT Awards. Of course, some accolades are more prized than others, some are even ‘vanity awards’ where the recipient is essentially paying for the recognition. But the 1066 awards ceremony is something special: a local event organised with care and attention for the benefit of the local community.
As one of the sponsors, HIP could be seen as biased, but Let’s Do Business, who organise the awards, has been operating in Hastings in one form or another for 30 years: it sees its role as not only supporting local businesses, but in doing so, helping to create “jobs and wealth that benefits the wider community and contributes to cohesion” and also “helping some of the region’s poorest communities”. You can read some of the success stories on letsdobusinessgroup.co.uk/success-stories.
Winning an award brings obvious benefits, not just to those that win, but all those shortlisted or who receive a ‘Special Commendation’. Winning brings publicity, but along with that, information about the company: for example, why it’s successful, how it looks after its staff, whether its green credentials are more than just greenwash. And of course, it’s motivating for all those who work within the business, bringing a sense of pride to what everyone contributes.
Talking about awards, one of the guest speakers was Emily Craig MBE, current British Olympic rowing gold medallist in the women’s lightweight double sculls. She spoke about the highs and lows of achieving success and what it takes to win through. I got to speak to her afterwards – and hold a gold medal for the first time! She explained how important she felt it was to support local businesses and how she appreciated the opportunity, as someone living locally (she started her rowing career at Bewl Water) of being “able to share my success with so many people from the area”.
Guest speakers are so important in adding interest to these events and the two chosen, Emily and Jens Knoops were a perfect combination. Jens told a fascinating story: starting with his strong love of chocolate from childhood to setting up his chocolate business from scratch at the age of 42. To find out more, read ryezine.com/articles/sound-knoops.
But the moment we ‘had all been waiting for’, was the announcement of the results. Speeches and lunch over, it began with a fanfare (if slightly muted), and the announcement of the Best New Business award, going to … 1066 Kitchens! (For full results see Let’s Do Business Facebook page.)
HIP sponsored the New Directions award, nominating 3Drecruit as the winner with a special commendation for Catsfield Christmas Tree Farm. But for the rest, we were naturally rooting for our table and delighted when Charlie and Daisy Abrahams, representing Bodiam Boating Station & Lime Wharf Café, not only won the Extra Mile category but were nominated for a special mention in the People First category (see interview).
The momentum and excitement continued right to the end with photoshoot and congratulatory chatter. My only criticism would be the lack of time available for networking at the end of the event – but then, perhaps, I’m just over-fond of talking, and most people have places to go.
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