Eastside Awards Finalists Announced
There is clear evidence of East Belfast bouncing back better, as a record number of entries have been received for the sixth Eastside Awards in association with George Best Belfast City Airport. The awards organisers received a record number of entries from businesses that are showing signs of experiencing a welcome recovery from COVID, teachers who have been nominated for their dedication to their students and projects which have had a positive impact on the local community.
Jonathan McAlpin, Chief Executive of East Belfast Enterprise and Chair of Eastside Awards Committee, said: “The Eastside Awards is embedded in the local community as an annual celebration of recognising all that is good about East Belfast and this year’s finalists should be extremely proud of themselves in getting this far, as we have received the highest number of entries to date. As we emerge from a challenging time in our history, all our finalists are worthy winners in my mind and I know the judges did not have an easy task in shortlisting the phenomenal number of entries we received. Sadly circumstances dictated that we could not celebrate in person last year so I have no doubt that the Eastside Awards will be the best yet when we reunite to announce the winners at our dazzling awards ceremony next month.”
Eastside Awards in association with George Best Belfast City Airport finalists are:
Eastside Award for Business Start Up sponsored by Belfast City Council: Hearty Growers, MayWe, Refresh Property Solutions Ltd
Eastside Award for Business Growth sponsored by Kainos: John Dory’s, Pacem, Precept IT Ltd
Eastside Award for Community Impact sponsored by Belfast Harbour: Ashfield Girls’ High School, East Belfast Covid Reference Group, James Brown & Sons in conjunction with Cruse Bereavement Support
Eastside Award for Contribution to the Arts sponsored by Phoenix Natural Gas: Ballymac Friendship Trust, Flock Belfast, MayWe
Eastside Award for Excellence in Health and Wellbeing sponsored by Millar McCall Wylie: East Belfast Community Development Agency Health Staff, East Belfast Mission, Helping Hands Autism Support Group
Eastside Award for Employer of the Year sponsored by Fleet Financial: John Dory’s, Pacem, Whitenoise
Eastside Award for Sports Initiative of the Year sponsored by GLL: East Belfast GAA, Glentoran FC Ashfield Boys’ Academy, Harland and Wolff Welders FSC Blanchflower Stadium
Eastside Award for Tourism Experience sponsored by EastSide Partnership: Arthouse DK Ltd, Hidden Ulster Tours, Maritime Belfast Trust
Eastside Award for Young Person of the Year sponsored by Belfast City Airport: Caleb Armitage, Angelike Dzenite, Gareth Wright
Eastside Award for Volunteer of the Year sponsored by East Belfast Mission: Angelike Dzenite, Hugh McInally, Brian McGuigan
Eastside Award for Favourite Beauty Business in East Belfast sponsored by We’reSure Insurance Services: Nails by Lauren Ralph, Dundonald; Salon Reve, Newtownards Road, Salon on the Square, Kings Square
Eastside Award for Favourite Eatery (Café/Restaurant) in East Belfast sponsored by Solv Group: Cyprus Avenue, Upper Newtownards Road; Dock Café, Titanic Quarter; Lampost Café, Upper Newtownards Road
Eastside Award for Favourite Hairdresser/Barber in East Belfast sponsored by Wolseley Plumb & Parts Center: Colleen Hamilton Hair, Connsbrook Avenue; LaVeau Hair, Dundonald; Paul Meekin Hair, Castlereagh Street
Eastside Award for Favourite Takeaway in East Belfast sponsored by Belfast Live: Fryar Tuck, Bloomfield Road; Loaded Street Food, Beersbridge Road; Hatch and Wolf, Bloomfield Avenue
Eastside Award for Favourite Teacher in East Belfast sponsored by The Open University: Mrs Compton, McArthur Nursery, Susan Street; Mrs Ashleigh Fay, Dundonald High School; Mrs Roberta Strange, Ashfield Girls’ High School
A special Outstanding Contribution award sponsored by East Belfast Enterprise will be announced at the awards ceremony, chosen by the committee. This individual will be awarded for the outstanding contribution they have made to the East Belfast community.
Hosted by television presenter Tara Mills, winners will be announced at a glittering celebration, in Hastings Stormont Hotel on Friday 29 April 2022. In the spirit of the Eastside Awards, finalists will each receive two complimentary tickets to the ceremony and entertainment is sponsored by The Urban Villages Initiative. For further information about the Eastside Awards ceremony or to purchase a ticket, visit: https://www.eastsideawards.org/awards-ceremony.html
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