Best Start up Business
Sponsored by: Ten Sixty Six Enterprise

The company makes handcrafted organic soaps and body care products and is a fair trade company. Sales grew from 2005 to 2006 by 330% and turnover in 2007 is anticipated to treble again. They have been exporting to a Russian company which is ranked 15th in the world of top retailers and have a contract to supply Oxfam shops.

The company now employs 3 part time staff and the Judges were impressed with the growth and entrepreneurial flair of the Company.

Outstanding Contribution to the Local Community
Sponsored by: Manningtons

The company undertakes a wide range of activities in the local community – particularly with work in the education sector. This includes organisation of an annual ‘Pathway to Construction Challenge’ – last year 26 students were taken to a construction site – after that they were set the challenge of pricing part of the construction work they had been taken to see. In addition the company regularly takes 5 work experience placements and they organise an annual charity Treasure Hunt.

Community Business of the Year
Sponsored by: Hastings College of Arts & Technology

HFS has been trading for 18 years, providing low cost furniture and appliances to people with low incomes. In addition HFS employs and trains people who have been long term unemployed.

The judges were impressed with the strong steps forward made by the business over the last 12 months.

Community Care Business of the Year
Sponsored by: Arbuthnot Commercial Finance

The business has been running since October 2005 and has shown good growth in that time. The company has customer service at the heart of all it does, and bases its work ethic on treating customers fairly, politely and respectfully. In September 2006 the business became an Approved Trader under the Trading Standards Buy with Confidence scheme.

Manufacturing & Construction Business of the Year

This company has a strong emphasis on its people – staff, suppliers and clients – and has grown strongly over a number of years. It is also closely involved in a number of community initiatives and was one of the first businesses locally to be awarded the CommunityMark

Retailer of the Year
Sponsored by: Priory Meadow

This is the second time The Source has won this award – the first time being 2005. Since then the business has developed significantly with the shop being relocated to Queens Road, Hastings. Richard and Marc Moore have also set up two new businesses, Snap Distribution and Source Skateparks which have seen turnover increase to around £500,000.

As well as increasing turnover through both shop sales and through the web the Judges were very impressed with their commitment to the community.

Hospitality, Tourism & Leisure Business of the Year
Sponsored by: Hastings Borough Council & 1066 Country Marketing

Opening in June 2006 Swan House is a B&B in the Old Town of Hastings. In November 2006 they were awarded the Visit Britain Five Star quality grading together with a silver award – one entry in their Visitors Book says ‘ the best bed and breakfast ever, with an entry on an independent travellers website saying ‘a gem of a guest house’.

Outstanding Individual Achievement
Sponsored by: Business Link

In answering the question what are the factors behind his success Ian’s boss said two words – ‘absolute dedication’. Fiona Allman-Treen also commented how hard it was to find employees who were equally adept at both the technical aspects of web design work and also interfacing with clients – Ian is able to do both. He has also developed a database system being used by local estate agents to help improve their web performance – growing the company’s client base in this sector from 1 to 5 agencies.

In addition Ian ran recently in the Hastings Half Marathon on behalf of Aplastic Anaemia – a local trust he is involved with.

Young Entrepreneur of the Year
Sponsored by: University of Brighton

Ceri and Sam opened their design business in 2006. Both achieved BA Hons in Art and Design at Hastings College with who they continue to work closely. Since they started they have worked on a number of large and small scale projects. The Judges were impressed with the progress the business has made since inception.

eBusiness of the Year
Sponsored by: eBiz Centre

The Judges were very impressed with this website, particularly the look, layout and general completeness of the site. They were particularly attracted to the fact the site reinforced making a subscription to the magazine.

Oustanding Contribution Award

Clive & John have together undertaken a very difficult task on behalf of the business community over the last 12 months.

The Task in question is to Chair the Local Strategic Partnership – a public/ private/ community partnership which has a vision to see 'The renaissance of Hastings through social, economic, cultural and environmental regeneration'.

In the last 12 months through their strong leadership the LSP has augmented its vision and mission and built on a key set of 21 targets for improvement. Not only have both been involved in the regular LSP meetings but they have also given hours of their time on related LSP business –all on behalf of the wider Hastings business community.

The fact that they have been asked to continue as joint Chairs for the next 12 months is testimony in itself of the positive impact they have had.

HSBC Business of the Year

In the last 12 months the business has developed significantly:
There have been improved training opportunities for staff, placements and volunteers
Staff numbers have doubled
A new, modern, welcoming store has been opened
Over 10 tonnes of potential landfill waste has been reused
1526 households have been supported
42 volunteers and placements have been supported