Since the launch of the seventh Merton Best Business Awards back in March, the wait is finally over, as the winners were announced last night at a glittering gala evening at one of London’s most prestigious venues, The All England Lawn Tennis Club in Wimbledon.
The Merton Best Business Awards celebrates the top local businesses and entrepreneurs and seeks to reward those who are proving that despite economic hurdles in the current political climate that local is where it is at and that business is still thriving for many.
From those who give exceptional customer service, to the businesses who look after their employees, as well as outstanding women and small companies who are making a difference in the community, there were 16 categories which saw an amazing 150 entries this year.
The red carpet was rolled out for the finalists, and leading figures from the borough including the judges and sponsors who help support the Merton Best Business Awards, arrived for what was to be a superb night of celebration. Hosted by sports broadcaster Laura Woods, the evening saw guests treated to a sumptuous three-course meal as well live music.
It was Gina Conway Salon and Spa, who led the charge on a remarkable event which saw so many Merton businesses pick up awards. Gina and her team were over the moon to be chosen as the overall winner. “I never expected to win overall winner! Although I have to say I think my business rocks! What we do is really serve the community and serve our team. Everything we do is through love - we call it beauty through love. And we really deserve it!
I feel really proud of my team for making this happen because I can’t do without them and I am so grateful for having the opportunity to be here at the Merton Best Business Awards. We try to make a big difference in the world and make the world a better place. And we do it everyday with our guests. Thank you so much to my team, to our clients and to Merton.”
Other winners included a posthumous award for Time & Leisure’s Tony Kane for his services to the community; first time entrants Figges Marsh Dental, Iglu.com and Belderbos Landscapes.
Diana Sterck, CEO of The Merton Chamber of Commerce said:“The gala awards evening was so exciting and the overall winner was the cream of a fantastic number of high quality applications from across the borough. The winner shone through as a business that places the customer at its core. They say about themselves: ‘We care about people and we show it. We work hard to make people look and feel great.’ Huge congratulations to Gina Conway and her team as well as all the other winners and runners up. Thank you to everyone who applied this year, we are privileged to have such a range of excellent businesses in the borough.”