The annual awards recognise the achievements of the best businesses in the borough and this year there will be special accolades for those that overcame the difficulties created by COVID.

 

This year there are four categories, and all category winners are automatically entered for the overall North Tyneside Business of the Year Award. The ceremony will take place on Wednesday 9th February 2022 at the Village Hotel where, in line with Public Health guidance, tickets for the event will be limited to finalists and sponsors only.

 

Chair of North Tyneside Business Forum, Karen Goldfinch said:

 

“It’s important to acknowledge the strength and determination shown by businesses through what’s been an unprecedented time of late.  Businesses of all size and sector have worked tirelessly to support not just their own business but the local area too.  These annual awards celebrate the huge contribution that businesses make to the local economy and how they make North Tyneside a great place to live, work and visit. This year, the number and quality of applicants we received was very high and selecting just three finalists in each category has been a difficult task for the judging panel. We believe that the finalists represent the spirit of every business in the borough that has had to adapt, create new markets, or simply survive.

 

“The categories all reflect the difficult situation we are in, There’s the “Can Do” Award, which is about showing resilience, the Diversification award for those that have made a major change in their business to keep them afloat during the pandemic and the New Business award for those that have started trading since the beginning of the pandemic in March 2020 and have grown despite the challenges. Finally, there’s the Heart of the Business award which is nominated by the business for a member of their own staff who have contributed above and beyond to keep the business going despite their own personal challenges.”

 

Finalists for the awards are:

Can Do, sponsored by Engie – Purple Chilli Ltd (Silent Disco 4U), Africawad Recycling CIC and Bash Academy

Diversification, supported by North Tyneside Council – Bash Academy, Roar Digital Marketing, Vineyard 72

New Business, sponsored by Tedco Business Support Ltd – Little Wood Walkers, Stay Coastal and Frontline Integrity

Heart of the Business, sponsored by Capita – Happy Planet Creative Arts CIC, Northburn Home Fragrance, Sammy Anne’s

 

In addition to the four categories, the public can vote for the Heart of the Community Award which recognises the way that businesses support their local community. Previous winners have supported local initiatives and causes, employed local people, provided excellent customer service, and basically went the extra mile to be at the heart of their local community. The finalists in this category are Backworth based MBS Gardens, Hadrian Park, Wallsend’s  H & S Convenience Store and Jillys Home Bakes based in at the Rose Inn pub, Wallsend.

 

The North Tyneside Business Forum is run by a management group made up of members from various industry sectors in the Borough and gives support in the form of networking, events and signposting for growth and development. Membership is free and open to any business of any size with a trading address within North Tyneside. The Business Forum is supported by, but not run by North Tyneside Council.