The entrepreneurial achievements of new sole traders and limited companies are being celebrated in the brand-new 2021 Love Chesterfield Awards, organised by Destination Chesterfield in association with EntireFM – Complete Facilities Management.
Four businesses – CarMats.co.uk, Precious Memories by Anne-Marie, Stanedge Golf Ltd and Virtual World Studios Ltd – have all been shortlisted for the Entrepreneur of the Year award.
Sponsored by Banner Jones Solicitors, the new category recognises the achievements, leadership, vision and success of new sole traders and limited companies in Chesterfield and North Derbyshire over the last 18 months.
In addition to the accolade, the winner of the award will also receive 10 hours of free mentoring with Banner Jones Solicitors as well as a 12 months of marketing support through Chesterfield Champions with awards organiser Destination Chesterfield covering the contribution cost for a financial year.
The winner of the Entrepreneur of the Year award will be announced at a black- tie awards ceremony at the Winding Wheel Theatre on 20th October 2021.
Ash Young, Founder of CarMats.co.uk explained how it feels to be a finalist: “It’s a real honour to be shortlisted for Entrepreneur of the Year at the Love Chesterfield Awards. Industry awards are great, but there’s something special about local recognition. Chesterfield has so many great businesses and entrepreneurs; I’m looking forward to cheering for them all on the night of the awards.”
Anne-Marie Scott, Owner of Precious Memories by Anne-Marie said: “It feels very surreal to be nominated, mostly because I still have to pinch myself at times that I created not only a business from scratch but also my dream job! In the hardest year for most of the country, my business has still flourished and I was able to employ an intern to help with the demands of the growing business. Chesterfield is a wonderful market town, unique in encouraging local independent businesses, and encouraging local entrepreneurs helps to keep our much-loved town centre alive.”
Delighted to be shortlisted for the award, Fame Tate, Director and Owner of Stanedge Golf Ltd said: “I feel incredibly proud to be shortlisted for the award and to be recognised for what myself and my team have achieved at Stanedge Golf Club, particularly in such a short period of time. On a more personal level it is hugely satisfying as this is not just a business venture – it is a labour of love. It drives me every single day and it is something that I am hugely passionate about. I have said from day one that I want the club to be the best; that is something that will never change.”
Lyn Sheppard, Manging Director of Virtual World Studios Ltd commented: “I see entrepreneurship as a creative approach to developing and driving a business forward through innovation. I am extremely pleased that we are a finalist for this award. It was a very nice surprise. When lockdown forced the studio to close, it was only our ability to think creatively that enabled us to re-configure the virtual reality technology we had originally developed for film production, into effective and eye-catching virtual solutions for businesses.”
Peter Swallow, Chair of Destination Chesterfield explained the importance of the new award: “Entrepreneurship plays a huge role in any thriving town or city – driving innovation, creating jobs and contributing to the growth of the local economy and never more so than during the pandemic. These businesses have adapted brilliantly to the challenges thrown at them, embodying Chesterfield’s can-do attitude. It was important to the Destination Chesterfield board that we recognised their hard work and achievements with this new award category.”
The Entrepreneur of the Year award is one of 16 categories in the new 2021 Love Chesterfield Awards organised by Destination Chesterfield in association with Entire FM – Complete Facilities Management. The new awards have combined Chesterfield’s annual High Street and Food and Drink awards and also recognised the contribution of entrepreneurs, regeneration projects, apprentices and sustainability over the last 18 months.
See the full list of 2021 Love Chesterfield Awards finalists here: https://www.chesterfield.co.uk/lovechesterfieldawards/finalists/
The 2021 Love Chesterfield Awards are supported and made possible by a number of sponsors and partners, including: Addooco IT, Banner Jones Solicitors, BHP Accountants, Chesterfield Borough Council, Chesterfield Digital High Street, The Chesterfield College Group, DBC Training, Derbyshire Times, East Midlands Chamber (Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire, Leicestershire), Entire FM – Complete Facilities Management, Evoluted, Greatest Hits Radio South Yorkshire and North Derbyshire, Hoods Florist, JP Fire Safety Solutions, MSE Hiller, Peak Pharmacy, Shorts Chartered Accountants, Spirecross Ltd and Van Dyk by Wildes.
Peter Swallow added: “It’s never been more important to show our appreciation of the business community, so we’d love for the awards ceremony to be our biggest and best yet. This can only be made possible with sponsorship.”
There are only two sponsorship opportunities remaining. If you would like to support the Love Chesterfield awards, please visit https://www.chesterfield.co.uk/lovechesterfieldawards/sponsors/sponsorshippackages/ or contact Tara Underhill, Senior Destination Chesterfield Coordinator by emailing Tara.underhill@chesterfield.co.uk or calling 01246 207 207.
