The Lord Mayor, Councillor Tony Fitzgerald, is on the search for Cork City’s best family businesses, calling for nominations for the Multi-Generational Family Businesses Awards 2018. This is the second year of the awards, which acknowledge the contribution that long-established family businesses have made and continue to make to Cork City.
Family businesses in Cork City have contributed hugely to the fabric of the local community and Cork City Council, through the Office of the Lord Mayor, want to recognise these local stalwarts, who have survived for generations and hopefully will thrive for many more to come. Their positive impact is seen commercially through their commitment and engagement with their customers and the jobs created. The awards will celebrate and give back to these businesses at the heart of Cork City.
Speaking at the launch of the awards, Lord Mayor, Cllr Tony Fitzgerald said: “Family businesses are at the heart of the business community in Cork City and the Multi-Generation Family Business Awards are a fantastic way of celebrating the resilience of these local family businesses. Many of these second, third and fourth generation businesses have had to demonstrate real strength and resolve in growing, developing and diversifying through sometimes very difficult economic environments and have demonstrated their loyalty for and to the communities they serve.”
Ita Madden, Senior Enterprise Development Officer, Local Enterprise Office (LEO), Cork City; John Quirke, Cronins Coaches; Adrienne Rodgers, Head of Enterprise, Local Enterprise Office (LEO), Cork City,; JJ O’Connell, Plato Cork; Barbara Anne Richardson, Cork Chamber; Lord Mayor of Cork City, Councillor Tony Fitzgerald; Lawrence Owens, Cork Business Association; Lady Mayoress, Georgina Fitzgerald and Teresa O’Flaherty, Ideal Pet Shop, pictured at the launch of the Lord Mayor’s Multi‐Generation Family Business Awards 2018.
Photo: Diane Cusack
There are three award categories – Retail Business, Trades and Professionals. Nominees will be judged by a panel of judges over two rounds. The award winners in each category will receive a tailored package of enterprise supports from the Local Enterprise Office in areas such as mentoring and training.
Speaking about the Lord Mayor’s Multi-Generation Family Business Awards, Adrienne Rodgers, Head of Enterprise, LEO Cork City, said: “The Lord Mayor’s Multi-Generation Family Business Awards are a fantastic initiative to recognise and give back to the family businesses that have contributed and supported Cork City for so many years. Here at the Local Enterprise Office, Cork City, we are delighted to be involved and to have the opportunity to give back to some of Cork’s long-standing family businesses.”
Nominations are now open and the closing date for applications is April 6. To nominate a family business click here to download the nomination form, which must be submitted in hard copy to the Office of the Lord Mayor, Cork City Council, City Hall, Anglesea Street, Cork, by April 6, 2018.
