Business excellence and outstanding community support are celebrated in Chad awards

For the first time, the awards ceremony was held virtually with broadcasting legend Harry Gration hosting the proceedings and interviewing winners during the live-stream on social media.

Two new awards from Mansfield and Ashfield District Councils - The Big Thank You - celebrated those in the community who had gone above and beyond to help others during the pandemic.

Nancy Fielder, group editor, said on Thursday: “The businesses and communities of Mansfield have really come together throughout 2020 in a way none of us could have predicted. Businesses have adapted, ones that found they couldn't function for lockdown have reinvented themselves, they've come to the aid of people who live around them and they've found ways to adapt.

"Our communities have also got a massive part to play and they've worked with businesses, they've helped their neighbours out, they've supported the NHS, they've volunteered, they've done incredible things."

Councillor Andy Abrahams, mayor of Mansfield, said: "We're all aware of the damaging impact of lockdown and restrictions has had on our businesses and our communities but for me what has been enlightening and heartwarming over the past eight months is that the area has proved to be resilient, resourceful and respectful. Resilient in adapting to new situations, resourceful in finding ways to survive and sustain our workforce and community and respectful to each other as members of the community."

Mansfield District Council, whose sponsorship included the Community Contribution Award, said in the programme: “These awards are a celebration of our local economy and business community. They highlight resilience, prosperity and give inspiration to entrepreneurship across the area.

"Our district continues to be a desirable place to do business and we’re keen to support the development and growth of local entrepreneurs alongside international companies. The Town Fund, £1m greening project and the Future High Streets Fund application will drive transformational change of our local economy which will raise aspiration and create opportunities for business.

"We continue to provide a number of grants for businesses, as well as free business advice and commercial property searches. We are always looking to build relationships and engage with the business community.”

Councillor Jason Zadrozkny, leader of Ashfield District Council, said: "It's testament to the resilience and adaptability of local businesses that we're still able to come together to celebrate the best in business across Mansfield and Ashfield."

Ashfield District Council, whose sponsorship included the Best Place to Eat and Drink Award, said in the programme: “Last month we received confirmation that we are set to receive £1.5m as part of the governments accelerated Towns Fund. The funding will be split equally between Kirkby and Sutton and has to be spent by the end of March 2021.

“Ashfield District Council and the Discover Ashfield board have been working with partners to develop a wide range of projects, including improved cycle and walking routes, the re-use of vacant retail units to create a small-scale indoor market in Kirkby and a contribution to the £1.4m development at Portland College, Sutton for a sports and cultural facility. The full Towns Fund submission will be submitted in January and could see up to £25m funding each for Kirkby and Sutton.”

The Lifetime Achievement Award went to Martin Rigley, chief executive officer and managing director of Lindhurst Engineering, in recognition of the huge amount of time he spends supporting local organisations and making Sutton-in-Ashfield a better place to live, learn and work.

During the Covid-19 crisis Martin launched ‘PPE4NHS’ , an initiative to get vital store cupboard personal protective equipment to the NHS. This high profile initiative directly and beneficially impacted upon the health and wellbeing of the local community and the medical professionals in their fight against the disease.

Martin said: "It's sad that we've had to have something as serious and impactful as Covid to galvanise us, but it really has felt that all the schools, businesses, residents, local authorities have been brought together and created a fantastic sense of community. I think it's something that we should build on as we move into 2021 and we can keep that community spirit moving.”

The full list of winners are:

Community Contribution (sponsored by Mansfield District Council) – Let’s All Eat

Innovation Award (sponsored by Gordian Coaching) – Mayborn Group

Customer Service Award (sponsored by Future Life Wealth Management) – English Rose Estate Agents

Education Award (sponsored by Tommee Tippee) – Bright Sparks Day Nursery (Frankie Wood, Samantha Burr, Laura Hammond)

Independent Retailer of the Year (sponsored by SolaAir Sequin Walls UK) – The Fashion Shop

The Best Place to Eat/Drink (sponsored by Ashfield District Council) – Andwhynot Group of Pubs and Restaurants

Professional Services Award (sponsored by Specsavers) – Premier Care

The Big Thank You, Ashfield (Ashfield) (sponsored by Ashfield District Council) – Ruth Lamb

The Big Thank You, Mansfield (sponsored by Mansfield District Council – Sid and the Spoon

Lifetime Achievement – Martin Rigley

Harry Gration said: “Being shortlisted for one of the awards is a significant achievement."

He commented that the awards highlighted how Mansfield and Sutton in Ashfield folk made the places what they are. "They are kind, considerate and that's their main concern, they want to know how other people are getting on and they want to help them."

Harry added: “On behalf of the organisers I’d like to say a huge thank you for the diligence and hard work of our judges, Martin Rigley MBE, Matthew Relf, Fardad Amirsaeedi."

A special feature, highlighting the winners’ stories and celebrating their success in the Chad Business and Community Excellence Awards, will be included in this week’s paper, which hits the streets on Wednesday, December 16, 2020.