Fylde four shine at Women's business awards

Julia Eastwood, of Artisan Tiles and Interiors, of Harrowside, Beverley Wood, of BWD Ltd, of St Annes, Danielle Yates of Montagues and Julie Maughan, of Woodhouse Opticians, both based in Highfield Road, Blackpool, all picked up a 2016 Enterprise Vision Award.

The four were crowned the winners in the Retailer of the Year, Creative Industry, Hospitality Industry and the Customer Services of the Year categories respectively.

Izzy Durose from Izzy Durose Photography based in St Annes was also the recipient of a Highly Commended award in the Young Entrepreneur of the Year Awards.

More than 600 turned out at Blackpool’s Winter Gardens where 16 awards were presented, including a new award for the evening, Outstanding Achievement award sponsored by NatWest.

Coral Horn, founder of the Blackpool-based Pink Link Ladies networking group and organiser of the EVAs, which are now into its sixth year, said: “The EVAs ceremony has surpassed itself once again. It was a truly memorable evening and winners thoroughly deserved their awards. I do think that this year was the toughest for our esteemed judges, so thanks to everyone who helped at every stage of the judging process.

“All of our finalists should be rightfully over the moon at such an achievement when you look at the company they kept in each category.

“We’ve had some excellent and such high calibre entries and businesses from across the North West and from the hundreds of applications received to now finally see the winners is a very special.”

On the night, guests enjoyed a three-course meal from Blackpool Football Heeadquarted Rowleys and guests were in safe hands thanks to host and compere for the evening, Rebecca Jane, founder of the Lady Detective Agency.

Rebecca set up her all-female private investigation company in 2009 also has a TV drama scheduled for 2017 based on her story.

She said: “Each of the winners fully deserved their award, not only that, but to see more than 600 people at the ceremony, it just shows how popular and hotly contested they really are.”

The awards, founded in 2011, also attracted headline sponsor NatWest to get involved for a fourth consecutive year ,

NatWest’s Territory Enterprise Manager Heather Waters said: “Supporting women in business is something that NatWest firmly believes in and what better way that being involved in the EVAs.

“The EVAs showcases the dedication and hard work that each woman has in their business and we are delighted to support them and celebrate the many achievements and success stories that would otherwise go unrecognised.

The winners in full:

Small Business of the Year: Gemma Voaden / All Survey Ltd

New Business of the Year: Michel Turnball – Barking Bakery’s

Retailer of the Year: Julia Eastwood / Artisan Tiles and Interiors

Solo Business of the Year: Lisa Jackson / Acorn Marketing

Financial Services: Deborah Gambell / Quickserve Business Services

Creative Industry of the Year: Beverley Wood / BWD Ltd

Young Entrepreneur of the Year: Caroline Stevenson / Foodinate

Hospitality Industry of the Year: Danielle Yates / Montagues

Professional Services of the Year: Rachel Horman / Watson Ramsbottom

Training and Coaching Business of the Year: Ami Sekhon / Cheshire Dog School

Health and Beauty Business of the Year: Lydia Upjohn / Pinkies Polished Hair and Beauty

Internet Industry of the Year: Val Dickinson and Dijonn Taylor / Savvy Guest

Customer Services of the Year: Julie Maughan / Woodhouse Opticians

Inspirational Woman of the Year: Joanne Thompson / Millie’s Trust

Business Woman of the Year: Victoria Molyneux / Want That Trend

Outstanding Achievement Award (NatWest): Jacquie Johnston Lynch / Tom Harrison House