Press Release

Derry City Council’s Small Business Awards

Thursday, 23 September 2004

Final preparations are underway for Derry City Council’s first ever awards ceremony for small business owners. Derry City Council today issued details of the event, which is to be held on September 28 in the City Hotel.

Speaking in advance of next week’s event, Councillor Helen Quigley, Chairperson of the Council’s City Marketing Committee explained where the idea for the Small Business Awards originated.

She explained: “A key objective of Council’s Economic Development Plan is to make Derry a really supportive environment for entrepreneurs. The City Marketing Committee thought it would be a good idea to give official recognition to the hard work of new entrepreneurs and the vital contribution they are making to the regeneration of the City’s economy. We subsequently approached North West Marketing to work with our Economic Development Team to take the idea forward.”

North West Marketing is managing the awards scheme on behalf of Derry City Council. North West Marketing is the Council’s enterprise partner and delivers the Council’s front line business start-up advice services. The awards were open to all Business Start clients who have been up and running for three months or more.

There will be six awards at the presentation:
· Female Entrepreneur Award
· Young Entrepreneur Award
· Fastest Growth Award
· Innovation and New Technology Award
· Environmental Award
· Small Business of The Year Award

Local celebrity, Wendy Austin, who has close connections with the city, will be hosting the black tie event, which itself will have a very Derry-focused theme. Nearly every firm involved in the preparations for the event is a Derry based company, for example the graphics for the event were designed by a Derry business, and also a Derry firm is filming the evening. The awards themselves are sponsored by established local businesses.

Julie Irwin of North West Marketing’s, Small Business Awards Management team said:

“ That’s really what this award celebration is all about - trying to create awareness of entrepreneurship in the City. It’s about recognising and rewarding the endeavours of those who have set up their own businesses and made a success of them. By recognising the efforts of these businessmen and women we hope to inspire others to achieve the same level of success.”

Ends

For further information about the event, contact Julie Irwin at North West Marketing on 028 71371 867.

For additional information contact:

Press Office

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