Best in the business!

THE 12th annual Archant London, Thames Gateway Business Awards, were held on Friday 6th November 2009, at the art deco inspired Troxy.

WINNERS

Finalists were invited along to this glittering event, hosted by BBC Journalist, Louisa Preston and radio presenter David ‘Kid’ Jensen, with guest speaker, Jim Fitzpatrick, Minister of State at DEFRA to hear who would be announced

these prestigious awards.

The event itself and entry process, was a welcome triumph, over what can only be described as “challenging economic conditions” throughout 2009. The popularity of the awards, and abundance of entries, was overwhelming, considering the tough trading conditions that small and medium sized businesses faced, and showed the true spirit with which these businesses have fought to survive.

Enzo Testa, Executive Managing Director of Archant London commented ‘We are proud to do all we can to support, encourage and promote businesses within the many local areas we cover. The rich mix of successful businesses across The Thames Gateway region make our communities, places we can be proud of. To this end, we are pleased to have organised this event.’

The awards evening culminated with a live performance from British soul sensation Kenny Thomas who wowed the audience with well known classics ‘Thinking about you Love’ and ‘Outstanding’. Legendary soul DJ Greg Edwards rounded up the night with a live set getting everybody on their feet and in the celebratory mood.

Archant London spent six months promoting the event to local businesses, in an attempt to reward entrepreneurial skills and the passion for success that exists across the Thames Gateway area.

Networking events were held in partnership with East London Business Place, so that businesses could come along and gain insider tips on how to produce a winning entry, and to hear from previous winners of awards who had benefited from award accolades.

An extensive marketing campaign followed, which included heavy promotion of the awards across Archant London’s portfolio of local newspapers and web based media sites, as well as their biggest ever direct marketing campaign to

more than 40,000 local businesses.

The results speak for themselves. A record number of entries were received from all manner of local businesses. From restaurants, to graphic design companies, and from one man bands, to local businesses employing in excess of 100 people. The time and effort that was put into compiling entries was outstanding, and Archant London and headline sponsor, HSBC, were delighted with the response.

Each of the 15 winners, walked away with not only the accolade of being some of the best businesses in the area, but Archant London put up a prize fund of £100,000 to be shared equally amongst all the winners. The prize, which can be spent on marketing and advertising campaigns with Archant London, re-enforced Archant’s commitment to local businesses, and will no doubt come at a time when some businesses are faced with the threat of having to review marketing budgets.

As well as the prize from Archant, Catering2order, Stoneshaw Estates, Bikeworks CIC, Foundation Football, H L Hawes and Son, PiPs Smoothies, West & Coe Funeral Directors and Home Jane also walked away with a complimentary Health Check courtesy of Haslers. Canary Wharf Group also donated £1,000 to Foundation Football winners of the Community Award to donate to their chosen charity.

The Thames Gateway
Business Awards

Entries are welcomed from all SME's who are based or operating in the South East London, East London, Essex and Kent area.. All entries must be submitted by 17:00hr on the 28th August 2009. Entrants must read through each category and its criteria carefully and demonstrate what they have done to support their business in the last 12 months.

This years official awards ceremony will be held at Troxy, London on Friday 6th, November. All finalists will be invited to attend the ceremony where the winners for each category will be announced. Each finalist will receive a certificate for their achievement as well as substantial publicity. Winners will go on to win a share of the £100,000 in Marketing and PR spend as well immeasurable exposure from one of the UK's leading independent publishers.