Elgin BID awards celebrate local business owners
Register for free to read more of the latest local news. It's easy and will only take a moment.
EMBRACING their success and determination to do well with their town centre businesses was the overriding theme of the annual Elgin BID awards.
Business owners and staff gathered at Elgin Town Hall last Friday to celebrate the awards, voted for by the public.
There were 10 awards handed out on the night to a range of largely independently-owned businesses.
Angela Norrie, Elgin BID manager, said: "Being able to represent all the wonderful businesses we have is amazing. I am just nine weeks into my job and I am loving it.
"We are all about to put Elgin back on the map.
"I hope we can increase footfall and everybody can enjoy what Elgin has to offer.
"These guys are behind the scenes every day and don't get out to see what other people are doing. I am seeing everything they are contributing to the community, which is amazing.
"I don't think we can hide the fact that there are some terrible times ahead of us and what we have come through, we can't change that; but what I do see is a very strong representation throughout all aspects of the community – private, public and third sector, and they are united.
"With them and all the hard work they are contributing, things can only get better. I am optimistic."
Peter Ralston of The Pop Shop in Thunderton Place won the Ian Widdowson customer service award.
"I have tried to create a safe place for people to come and play games.
"We get a lot from the RAF camp and Kinloss base as well. They come in to make friends and talk to like-minded people."
His shop has been open seven years.
"We have had some ups and downs along the way but we come through Covid stronger than we were before.
"I was into gaming myself and wanted to set up somewhere where other games could go," added Peter.
The retail award went to Sarah Holmes of Pencil Me In, Batchen Street. She said: "This is great because it is the third time we have won it since 2016.
"This is our best year we have had on record. We are supplying pencils all over the UK.
Sarah admitted the Covid pandemic had been a difficult period.
"We have a good, loyal following online. The Government support made a huge difference.
"It was an awful time and no-one wants to repeat but we came out of it in a good place."
IT Central founder and CEO Lee Midlane said was delighted to win the local professional services award.
"It is really lovely. It's a local award and to be a local business getting recognised is great.
"I have a fantastic team of technicians.We have just celebrated our seventh birthday.
"It has been a really challenging time and we are doing everything we can to still be in business.
Added Lee: "Independent businesses employ a lot of people and we look afer the community and offer something different, and that is important."
Morgan Younie and Sharon Harrison are collectively behind The Doll House.
They established the hair and beauty business two years ago.
Said Morgan: "Things have picked up after Covid and we are doing good. We love all our clients.
"I can't believe we won that award, it is amazing."
Aidan Henderson (19) was the Embrace Elgin community champion – the one award judged by an independent panel.
"It is very humbling to be the community champion," he said. " I feel like volunteering for so many different organisations you are helping people.
"By volunteering at the youth café I am helping young people, by volunteering at Elgin Town Hall I am helping people have a great night out.
Aidan, from Elgin, is a student at Perth College doing an HND in business by remote learning from home.
"Sometimes I help with Logan's Fund and I am helping raise funds for young people with cancer to make memories with their parents.
"I am helping people smile. What makes me feel warm is knowing that people who are less fortunate than others have a good time thanks to me helping them."
Karen Mackay, managing director of Little the Jeweller, which win the long established business aware, said: "I am completely and utterly delighted. This is for my dad who passed away in December. My niece is now with me in the business and that is the fourth generation.
"Since we have reopened after Covid we have done really good business. We have been 62 years in business and we are going from strength to strength.
"We are pretty prominent in the High Street and we would like to stay there. The High Street has a lot to offer.
"If rates were reduced by the council it would bring more businesses in."
Awards in full:
Hospitality and tourism – Batchen Street Coffee.
Local professional services – IT Central.
National banking – Bank of Scotland.
Hair,beauty, fitness and health – The Dolls House.
Retail – Pencil Me In.
Charity – Elgin Youth Café.
David Urquhart new business – Pizzeria Planta.
Long established business – Little the Jeweller.
Ian Widdowson customer service –Peter Ralston, The Pop Shop.
Embrace Elgin community champion – Aidan Henderson.
