Last updated at 14:50, Tuesday, 26 June 2012

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Ghyllmount Dental Practice was named large business of the year at a glitzy ceremony for the Penrith Stars of Business Awards.

The event was organised by the Penrith Chamber of Trade’s first Stars of Business Awards as part of its annual dinner and was sponsored by Dodd & Co Accountants.

The awards had a ‘Going for Gold’ theme which celebrated the Olympic torch passing through the region last week and a great sporting year in Great Britain.

Guest speaker of the evening was Richard Clements, General Manager of Carlisle Racecourse, who gave an entertaining guests with his speech on the links between being part of a sporting team and working as part of a team to achieve great results in business - including providing a hot tip on the following day’s races at Royal Ascot.

The awards, which were put together by Penrith Chamber of Trade and Commerce and Lisa Coates of Acorn Marketing, were designed to recognise the multitude of thriving businesses in Penrith and the local area and the difference they make to the local economy. There have not been any business awards in Penrith in the past and the Chamber felt it was about time we celebrated the great business community we have around Penrith.

Winning businesses in the Stars of Business awards were:

Winner of the Small Business of the Year Award (sponsored by Penrith Building Society)

Country Puddings. The judges were impressed by the high number of applications in this category and the results were extremely close. However, Country Puddings demonstrated excellent performance and projections and had really distinctive unique selling points. They have a strong brand and a very clear vision for the company. The judges could tell the application had been written with passion and they loved that it was a family run business who took pride in what they do.

Winner of the Large Business of the Year Award (sponsored by Armstrong Watson)

Ghyllmount Dental Practice - Again, there were a large number of applications in this category, but the judges were particularly impressed with the passion Ghyllmount Dental Practice showed and the pride they have in what they do. They showed excellent growth and the judges feel confident that they are set to expand even further. They thought this business was fantastic and couldn’t have asked for more from a worthy winner.

Winner of Business Person of the Year (Sponsored by Lloyd Honda and Volvo B2B Sales)

Jili Allen of Jili Allen Creative - This category was extremely close with shining examples of some of the successful, determined and passionate business people we have in Penrith. The judges felt that Jili’s achievements were outstanding. Her track record of business success, dedication to going the extra mile and commitment to excellence was commendable.

Winner of Outstanding Contribution to Business (sponsored by Cumberland & Westmorland Herald)

Kelvin Dixon of Seagraves & Dixon - There were some great applications in this category that demonstrated people’s dedication to their business and the community. However, the judges felt that Kelvin Dixon had made some significant achievements for businesses in the town and was the ‘voice of the business community’. He has worked hard to make a difference to business in Penrith and the judges felt his efforts should be recognised in the amount of voluntary work he had done and the results he has achieved over the past few years.

Finalists and winners of the Stars of Business Awards were all nominated for their contribution to business in the local area and were judged by an independent panel of business experts from out of the Penrith area.

President of the Penrith Chamber of Trade and Commerce, Philip Cranston also gave a speech during the evening outlining the Chamber’s achievements over the past year.

The Chamber has seen membership numbers grow since re-branding a year ago; it has welcomed more people to new networking and business to business events than ever before and offer more opportunities and local lobbying to voice business opinions. It has also been at the forefront of leading talks about the implementation of a Town Council and a Business Improvement District for Penrith and initiated ‘Fee Free Friday’ parking last summer holidays and are currently working on a new initiative for Penrith’s Christmas celebrations.

Mr Cranston encouraged business to get on board and join the Chamber to help make even more of an impact on the town going forward.

He said: “Now is the time to stand up and make your voice heard. People are keen to look at the negatives or the problems in the town, but the only way to make a difference is to get involved. With more people attending meetings, giving ideas and expressing opinions we will have a greater impact on the town we love.”

For further information about Penrith Chamber of Trade and Commerce visit www.penrithchamberoftrade.org.uk

First published at 15:06, Monday, 25 June 2012
Published by http://www.in-cumbria.com