NovaLoca attend FSB Bedfordshire Business Awards 2016
Last night Miranda Munn, NovaLoca’s MD, enjoyed a great evening at the FSB Bedfordshire Business awards 2016 at Luton Hoo Hotel. Miranda’s account of the wonderful evening is below:
Kindly invited by Central Bedfordshire Council, sponsors of the most Enterprising Business Award, I was interested to be sitting with Andrew Davie from the planning department. We discussed the lack of stock reported by agents across the country. Andrew said that from their research that there was sufficient stock.
I proposed that it was more likely the lack of suitable stock that is the issue rather than the stock itself in many cases. I was keen to explore what can be done to address this issue either by incentives for renovation, redevelopment/repurposing of existing commercial property or government support to ensure commercial areas are well served with transport links, broadband, parking and other amenities. I was pleased to discuss the development of Biggleswade (NovaLoca’s nearest town) and the difference the fast train to Kings Cross, the new retail park and new homes have made.
It was great to see our accountants sponsoring the Community Business of the year (with the award presented by Nick Willis of George Hay). I shared a taxi with the amazing Susan Atwell who was seemingly managing about 3 full time roles (the most exciting being owning the Lloyds Bank Stallions – keep an eye out for the next ad campaign!).
Councillor Sue Clarke handed out the award for Central Beds, reminding all of the businesses present that the Council are there to offer help and support to businesses. Very best wishes to Garth McKenzie of Central Beds who is to be married very shortly!
The entertainment was most enjoyable especially the very talented ‘chef’! I wouldn’t have minded a copy of all the great tunes that were chosen to accompany the winners to the stage…
Congratulations to all the winners – hopefully all your companies will go from strength to strength (and if you need new commercial property we suggest you check out NovaLoca.com!).
Category Finalists
Best New Business
Winner – Smarta Healthcare
Runner Up – Go Houghton Bar & Restaurant
Apprentice of the Year
Winner – Aaron Foster at DCS Voice & Vision
Runner Up – George Brightman at The Play Doctors and Carly Marjoribanks at Trademaid
Business Innovation
Winner – Bartham Press
Runner Up – Node IT Solutions
Entrepreneur of the Year
Winner – Miranda Tarpey of The UK Lash Institute
Runner Up – Mostaque Koyes of Bartham Press Ltd
Service Excellence
Winner – George James Bridal
Runner Up – Utilitrack
Business Person of the Year
Winner – Nicola Weeks of George James Bridal
Runner Up – Michelle Shulman of La Belle Cake Company
The Green Award
Winner – Arabel Labrusan
Runner Up – Ecotile Flooring
Training and Development
Winner – Barnfield College
Runner Up – Study Active
Best E-Business
Winner – Node IT Solutions
Runner Up – Study Active
Young Business Person of the Year
Winner – Matt Worthington of Storm Video Productions
Runner Up – Gaetano Ciampa – Cartridge Depot
Networking Group of the Year
Winner – Bedfordshire Business Women
Runner Up – Networking at Dunstable
Community Business of the Year
Winner – Viking Self Storage
Runner Up – TK Furniture
Enterprising Business of the Year
Winner – Crannull Consulting
Runner Up – Stolen Gillam
Rural Business of the Year
Winner – Foley Exhibitions and Pecks Farm Shop
Best Customer Service
Winner – Putterridge Bury
The Chequers
Overall Winner
George James Bridal
