Dartford and Gravesham Business Awards
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It's not long now before Dartford and Gravesham's
enterprising firms are put under the spotlight as the
search for north Kent's best business draws to a
close.
Companies throughout the region have
bid to become Dartford & Gravesham's leading business which
will be announced at a glittering awards ceremony in June.
It's been a tough year but our entrants have proved to be
tougher still by battling through the
economic downturn to prove the area is still very
much industrious and entrepreneurial.
The prestigious awards ceremony will acknowledge
the shortlisted entries deemed to display the necessary
know-how, knowledge and knack to warrant a place in the final - and
the tension will mount as we inch closer to naming Dartford &
Gravesham's Business of the Year.
The awards and ceremony are supported by Dartford and Gravesham
councils as well as leading local companies John Lewis Bluewater,
Thames Gateway (Kent) Chamber of Commerce, Lloyds TSB, Vizards
Wyeth, Barnes Roffe LLP, Adecco and the University of Kent.
The finalists will be recognised at a gala presentation dinner
being held at the Woodville Halls Theatre, Gravesend, on June
10.
For more information on the awards click here
The Sewing Shop
Echo Square
Gravesend
Guaranteeing to fit every child perfectly with a school uniform
is a tall order, but not for The Sewing Shop in Gravesend’s Echo
Square.
The uniform supplier covers 20 schools across the area including
Gads Hill, St. Josephs, Bronte School, Cobham and Fawkham
Primary.
The Sewing Shop run by Janet Waite skilfully nips and tucks any
item to make it fit and has been doing this successfully since
1995.
The firm also supplies a number of local companies with
corporate uniforms.
Janet Waite is also a skilful embroiderer and with five staff,
can make any badges to suit a design.
She said: "We have built up a very good reputation with business
coming mainly by word of mouth We get to know local families well,
seeing children through their school years up to leaving. We also
support schools by donating sewing machines and helping out at
raffles."
The company also provides a range of other services including
screen printing, fancy dress for school discos and uniform for
cubs, scouts, brownies and guides.
Mobile Bar Hire Ltd
Unit 8
Optima Park
Thomas Rd
Crayford
'Your dream is our reality’ is the appropriate mission statement
of previous awards finalist - Dartford based Mobile Bar Hire
Ltd.
Since starting up in 2006 the company has enjoyed a lot of
success and copes with events from 10 to 10,000 people providing
hospitality packages for the events industry.
Managed by Ragbhir Sandhu, the company has not been affected too
much by the recession and bookings have held up to their usual
number.
At times however staff have to be prepared for anything, with
customers sometimes making unusual requests for their
celebrations.
One very prestigious event for the firm, was being booked for a
major awards ceremony in London last year where 1,000 people
attended including a lot of famous faces.
Mobile Bar Hire Ltd is also at the forefront of local charity
events such as Children in Need and says it feels part of its local
community.
Being green conscious the firm recycles all its glasses and
staff are given the very best training by drinks company
Diageo.
Longfield Tandoori
Station Road
Longfield
Despite fighting for customers in a highly competitive market
all those years ago, Shahidur Rahman, felt it was time to stand on
his own two feet and took the plunge and opened the Longfield
Tandoori restaurant.
This year the restaurant celebrates its 10th anniversary and is
recognised as part of the Longfield community.
Shahidur’s business experience kicked off when he was only 20
and he finds a lot of pleasure serving his customers with a wide
menu choice.
Staff training in food hygiene is also top of his list with his
menus a mixture of cuisines from Bangladesh, with its spices and
added herbs, and India with mainly herbs and added spices.
The restaurant says it works hard to find top class people who
know the trade and are able to create exciting new dishes.
For Shahidur though it has all worked out well and celebrities
can, he admits, occasionally be spotted in his restaurant.
Jacqueline’s House of Brides
Highfield Road
Dartford
According to Susan Hearn, director of Jacqueline’s House of
Brides, an increasing number of couples are marrying in the
unseasonal months at the start of a year and for bridal shops this
can mean a better all-year-round trade.
Brides are also choosing their outfits nearer to the wedding
date and a shorter lead in time when ordering a dress means the
service has to be well organised.
Situated in Highfield Road, Dartford, Jacqueline’s House of
Brides is enjoying its 20th anniversary this year and over the
period has adapted to customers’ changing lifestyles. It’s not
unusual for them to open late so commuters can arrange an out of
hours consultation.
The firm is also keen on staff training. Susan Hearn said: "We
only train staff in-house and this can last for up to a year due to
the complexity of this business.
"We offer work experience placements to schools in the Bexley
and Dartford areas and were awarded a Certificate of Excellence in
2007/08 by Kent Works for work experience to local students."
Classic Education Ltd
High Street
Gravesend
FOR an education recruitment agency to receive a 100 per cent
pass rate for a Department for Children, Schools and Families
(DCSF) quality mark is almost unheard of, but Classic Education did
just that and is very proud.
Founded in March 2005 by recruitment specialists Sue Flasher and
Mandy Day, the firm deals with the selection and supply of teachers
for daily, long term or permanent posts in schools throughout Kent
and south east London.
The recession has had a knock on effect in education with some
teachers choosing to stay on instead of taking early
retirement.
There is also the process of ensuring potential teachers are
exhaustively vetted before entering a school with Classic Education
an expert in these procedures.
The two directors also have links with the University of
Greenwich’s Medway campus where under and post-graduates attending
teaching courses can receive advice on how the firm could help
further their future careers.
School testimonials describing the company as 'reliable’ and a
'great service’ have poured into Classic Education’s Gravesend
offices, proof that the sweat and tears of getting the business off
the ground has been worth it.
Fast Trak Solutions
Regus House
Victory Way
Dartford
One firm competing is Fast Trak Solutions - a company helping
social housing tenants rent within the private sector.
Landlords can sometimes show reluctance to rent to housing
benefits claimants, the firm says.
Fears of inability to pay and possible disregard for the
property can end up perpetuating any housing shortage.
Fast Trak Solutions, started 18 months ago by Damon Thomas, has
a scheme whereby private landlords are offered a comprehensive rent
guarantee, insurance against tenant damage and a tailored
referencing process.
The firm, employing 16, has full FSA approval. Mr Thomas calls
the business "unique".
WB Services UK
The Old Gun Club
Rochester Way
Dartford
If you've ever wondered who has provided the skills to
manage the huge low loader on your road, or towering crane, it
could have been heavy lifting and transportation company WB
Services UK.
The family-run firm launched in 2002 to provide a quality
service with a loyal workforce willing to work with management to
ensure customers receive the advice and care needed.
The company can manage massive loads and drivers, second men and
escorts can be provided as can permits from police to move
cargo.
Expansion has taken place and online a store offering lifting
tackle for sale or hire is soon to go live. There is also a
training centre.
Britannia Cutting Services
Unit 1
Millside Industrial Estate
Lawson Road
Dartford
Recommendations by word of mouth and a great team equals success
for Patrick Southin, director of Britannia Cutting Services .
Britannia offers a range of expertise in cutting and breaking
concrete, which includes diamond drilling, diamond track sawing,
diamond floor sawing, diamond wire sawing, diamond ring sawing,
robotic breaking and rotary drilling.
From day one three years ago the firm's management realised
staff training would pay dividends and invested heavily in health
and safety.
A recent job at St Paul's Cathedral, which involved diamond
drilling thousands of holes, saw every step inserted with pins for
the partially-sighted.
When the firm was only 18 months old it entered a specialist
competition involving the industry's major UK players and came
second. The team went on to Europe - and came eighth out of 22.
P4Parties
High Street
Gravesend
IF you need cheering up visit P4Parties Limited in Gravesend's
High Street.
You're immediately surrounded by fun.
Balloons, costumes for hire, tableware... everything to make a
party extra special.
Director Michael Savell started the business in 1998 and
believes he is now Kent's number one partywear hot spot. He has top
clients after supplying a balloon theme for Jools Holland's
wedding.
It's a highly-competitive industry and the past year has been
tough but Mr Savell has met it head on and embraced the
internet.
April sees the launch of the online store.
County Magazine Publications
High Street
Farningham
A family affair describes County Magazine Publications, which
since its inception in 1996 has enjoyed outstanding success.
The company hand delivers 51,000 glossy copies of The County
Magazine to affluent readerships across Bromley and parts of
Kent.
Founded by Gillie and Michael Bower, whose daughter works as
office manager, the company has, along with most UK publications,
faced a drop in advertising revenues. Most advertisers are loyal
and have stayed since its first issue.
The firm, run by four full and four part-time staff, publishes a
'charity of the month' newsletter and is sponsoring a 'Great Wall
of China run' for the British Heart Foundation.
Thursday, April 30 2009
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