Month: October 2019

Enter for free online by midnight 13th of January in any of the 13 exciting and diverse business categories and you could be celebrating at the President’s Dinner in Cork’s Vienna Woods on Saturday 22nd February 2020 with fellow stars of the Cork Business scene!

Entries now open for the CBA’s
Cork Business of the Year Awards 2019

New Digital award launched!

Cork Business Association (CBA) has launched their annual 'Cork Business of the Year Awards 2019’, in partnership with awards sponsor JCD, event partner AIB and media partner The Irish Examiner, to recognise the outstanding contribution of businesses and individuals working diligently across varied sectors of business in Cork City and its environs.

Your business could be set for stardom in February 2020, as entrants not only have the chance to win individual award categories but they could also be named the overall ‘Cork Business of the Year.’

The 13 award categories for 2019 include:

• Best New Business in Cork, sponsored by LEO Cork City
  • Open to all businesses that have been founded or are new to Cork since 1st January 2017. Entrants will be asked to explain their business and to demonstrate how they have translated a great idea into a viable and successful business venture. They will also be asked to outline their plans for the future.

• Best Cork Family Business, sponsored by Musgrave
  • Open to all family owned and run businesses in the greater Cork city area. Your business must be managed by family members and you must be able to demonstrate the involvement of at least two generations of family members who are working in the business.

• Best Cork Hotel, sponsored by Kings Laundry
  • The Best Hotel award acknowledges excellence in service and accommodation. Entrants will demonstrate high class, flawless service in a comfortable, quality establishment, while both meeting and exceeding guest expectations, and how they have helped to promote Cork as a destination nationally and internationally.

• Best Cork Restaurant, sponsored by The English Market
  • The best Restaurant award acknowledges excellence in quality, service, price and ambiance. Entrants will demonstrate high standards in food quality, cost, efficiency, customer service, imagination, attention to detail, marketing and how well the establishment functions as a business.

• Best Cork Café, sponsored by The English Market
• The best Café award will recognize excellence in customer service, business innovation, premises ambiance and atmosphere. Entrants will demonstrate high standards in food quality, cost, efficiency, imagination, attention to detail, marketing and how they have raised the profile of their business in this ever increasingly competitive sector.

• Best Cork VFI Pub, sponsored by Vintners Federation Cork
  • The award for Best Cork Pub will be awarded to the pub that, in the opinion of the judges, demonstrates ‘best in class’ in the areas of innovation, creativity, ambiance, operational excellence and customer service.  Open to VFI Members only.

• Best Cork Retail Business, sponsored by Cork City Council
  • The best Cork Retail Business will be awarded to the business that routinely strives for the highest standards across a number of key metrics such as customer service, value, visual merchandising, premises maintenance, marketing, and adaptability. High standards are particularly important given the very severe challenges currently facing Ireland’s retail industry. It is critical that the retail industry plays its part in consistently improving its offering to attract more customers, keep retail workers in jobs and simultaneously keep Cork city centre vibrant which in turn will re-engage citizens and customers alike.

• Best Professional Services Business
  • This category is open to all businesses that provide a professional business service in the greater Cork city area. They include banking, legal, accounting, HR, recruitment, PR, marketing, architects, financial advisers, engineers, consultants, training providers, strategic advice etc. They can be any organisation or profession that offers customised, knowledge-based services to clients. Entrants must be able to explain what their professional business service is and demonstrate their commitment to customer service excellence within their particular service provided.

• Best Tourism Art Event, sponsored by IHF Cork
  • This award is designed to recognise and reward an organisation, attraction, business or event that has excelled in tourism, contributing to growing tourist numbers and /or the visitor experience in Cork.

• Best Cork Digital Business
• This award will be presented to a company or organisation that can practically demonstrate how they have embraced the digital age and built their company around, or adapted their business strategy to adopt, a more future focused, digitally powered approach. This category is open to all businesses, regardless of their stage in the business life-cycle. 

• Cork Business of the Year, medium category, sponsored by JCD and the Irish Examiner
  • This award honours and acknowledges a business that has contributed or promoted the enhancement of the commercial, cultural, or civic life in Cork city. This award is open to all medium sized businesses irrespective of Category.

• Cork Business of the Year, large category, sponsored by JCD and the Irish Examiner
  • This award honours and acknowledges a business that has contributed or promoted the enhancement of the commercial, cultural, or civic life in Cork city. This award is open to all large businesses irrespective of Category. 

• The Champion of Cork Award, sponsored by Cork Institute of Technology (CIT)
  • The Champion of Cork Award was created to praise, honour and recognise a Corkonian whom we believe has made a real difference to Cork and its people, be it through driving business, their contribution to the arts, their charitable work, their efforts in developing our city or their passion and drive for promoting all things Cork.

The Cork Business Association is celebrating 62 years in business this year, and the organisation’s Cork Business of the Year Awards are always a highlight for local businesses.

Speaking about the awards, Chief Executive of Cork Business Association Lawrence Owens said:

The Cork Business of the Year Awards have grown year on year and are certainly the highlight of Cork Business Association’s calendar. Through these awards, along with our sponsors and partners, the CBA annually seeks to recognise the hard work and good business acumen demonstrated by businesses in Cork.

Last year we recognised some highly notable achievements, with the Guinness Cork Jazz Festival being named the overall winner in the Large Category and McCarthy Insurance in the Medium Category.

We very much look forward to receiving this year’s submissions and would like to encourage all businesses located within the greater Cork city area to consider entering these prestigious awards.

The benefits of being part of the awards process are many, including association with the awards, public recognition for your hard work, plus marketing and networking opportunities. We would also like to sincerely thank all of our sponsors, in particular our awards sponsor JCD, event partner AIB, and media partner The Irish Examiner.

To enter the Cork Business of the Year Awards 2019, your business must be based in the greater

Cork city area or be a current member of the Cork Business Association.

Nominations are open now and entries for all award categories which are FREE to enter should be completed online at http://corkbusiness.ie/cba-cork-business-of-the-year-awards-2019/ following a simple 3 step process no later than midnight December 9^th 2019.  An experienced panel of leading business executives will provide independent judging with shortlisting commencing in the New Year.

The awards ceremony, which is a favourite event on Cork's glittering social calendar, will take place at a Black Tie dinner in Cork’s Vienna Woods on Saturday 22^nd February 2020.

Tickets are priced at €120 (plus booking fee) and are available to purchase online HERE or direct from the CBA office by calling (021) 427 8295. Tickets include a pre-dinner drinks reception, the Chefs of Cork 4 course dinner; wine, awards presentations, spot prizes and stellar live entertainment.

For more information on Cork Business Association and the 2019 Cork Business of the Year Awards including full detail of categories and how to enter see http://corkbusiness.ie/cba-cork-business-of-the-year-awards-2019/.

Bestowing praise on the best maintained buildings in Cork

Cork Business Association, in association with Cork City Council and The Echo, have announced the winners of the 2019 Cork Better Building Awards.

The awards honour the best designed and best maintained buildings in the greater Cork City area, and are aimed at rewarding businesses and building caretakers for their efforts to protect, enhance and improve the city’s streetscape, which in turn, significantly contributes to a positive public perception of the city as a vibrant and dynamic place to live, visit, invest and do business in.

This year in particular, Cork Business Association sought to recognize the huge amount of expansion and planning in Cork, through the awards which were open to any building in the greater Cork area.

The winners of the 2019 Cork Better Building Awards were announced Lord Mayor of Cork, Cllr John Sheehan, at a special awards luncheon in the Clayton Hotel, Cork City, on Friday October 18th. Red FM presenter, Neil Prendeville, was MC on the day.

1. Best in Café/Restaurant

Café Gusto

Café Gusto has recently been tastefully repainted, adding new life to this stretch of Washington Street. Located in a late Georgian, terraced, former house with a double-height timber shopfront to the mezzanine level and retaining some of its distinctive decorative elements, this distinctive café/restaurant enhances the character of this part of the city.

Marianne Delaney representing Cafe Gusto pictured accepting their award for Best in Café/Restaurant at the Cork Business Association's Cork's Better Buildings Awards 2019 in association with Cork City Council and media partners The Echo.

2. Commercial Business Frontage - Special Merit Award

            Powell Property, Grand Parade

Powell Property occupies a terraced, bow-fronted Georgian former house dating from c. 1790. One of a group of three, with its slate-hung façade and retention of original window arrangement to the upper floors, it makes a significant contribution to the architectural character of Grand Parade.

Michael Powell representing Powell Properties pictured accepting their Special Merit award for Best Commercial Business Frontage at the Cork Business Association's Cork's Better Buildings Awards 2019 in association with Cork City Council and media partners The Echo.

3. Commercial Business Frontage - Overall Winner

            Barry C Galvin & Son Solicitors 91 South Mall

The attractive, grey and white painted façade of “Barry C. Galvin & Son Solicitors” with its gold signage lettering, contributes to the commercial character of South Mall. The contrasting colours of the arched plasterwork and pilasters enhance the appearance of this building onto the street.

Mr Barry Galvin representing Barry C. Galvin & Son Solicitors pictured accepting their Overall Winner award for Best Commercial Business Frontage at the Cork Business Association's Cork's Better Buildings Awards 2019 in association with Cork City Council and media partners The Echo.

4. Best in Retail

The Drapery Shop, Emmet Place

“The Drapery Store” occupies this fine, terraced, three-storey building on Emmet Place, dating from c. 1885. Its sympathetic shopfront, including timber fascia and tasteful window display, perfectly complements the Ashlar limestone plinths and pilasters and cast-iron gates at ground floor level, with red brick walls, carved stone architrave to first floor openings and timber sash windows above.

Mairead O’Shea representing The Drapery Shop pictured accepting their award for Best in Retail at the Cork Business Association's Cork's Better Buildings Awards 2019 in association with Cork City Council and media partners The Echo.

5. Best New Development

85 South Mall

Designed by Henry J. Lyons Architects, this new office development has provided much needed, high quality, Grade A office space to the South Mall area, enhancing the commercial life of the city centre. This highly sustainable building provides a new anchor to this office quarter, strengthening the civic nature of the street.

John Cleary representing JCD Group pictured accepting their award on behalf on 85 South Mall for Best New Development at the Cork Business Association's Cork's Better Buildings Awards 2019 in association with Cork City Council and media partners The Echo.

6. Best in Tourism, Arts & Accommodation

Nano Nagle Place

The restoration and redevelopment of the South Presentation Convent, grounds and schools: Nano Nagle Place, has made a huge contribution to the rejuvenation of the South Parish area of the city. With its heritage experience, gardens, ‘Good Day Deli’ café and shop, this is a key addition to the tourist draw of Cork City. The story of life in 18th century Cork and the legacy of Nano through the spread of the Presentation Order worldwide is told, while the visitor goes on a spiritual journey and observes living history- experiencing her resting place and the complex of buildings dating from the 1770s to the present day.

Shane Clarke representing Nano Nagle Place pictured accepting their award for Best in Tourism , Arts and Accommodation at the Cork Business Association's Cork's Better Buildings Awards 2019 in association with Cork City Council and media partners The Echo.

7. Best in Pub Front

Tom Barry’s, Barrack Street

Tom Barry’s is nothing short of a Cork institution. Situated on one of the city’s oldest streets, it sits in the shadow of St Finbarr’s Cathedral and is steeped in history. This well-maintained premises painted in an attractive marine blue palette is further complemented by the subtle use of contrasting colours to accentuate key focal points of the building. The use of strategic planting and the clever use of signage is another positive feature of this building.

Aideen O’Sullivan, Guardian Owner of Tom Barry’s representing Tom Barry's Pub pictured accepting their award for Best Pub Front at the Cork Business Association's Cork's Better Buildings Awards 2019 in association with Cork City Council and media partners The Echo.

8. Best in Heritage & Conservation

The UCC Centre for Executive Education

Designed by architects T. and K. Deane in 1839, the former Cork Savings Bank has been sensitively reimagined by JCA Architects for its new life as the UCC Executive Masters Business School. Located on a corner site overlooking the south channel of the River Lee, the building occupies a prominent position in the urban landscape. It’s beautifully embellished, former banking hall has been restored to best conservation practice, ensuring this fine, limestone, city landmark will add new life and enhance the educational and business life of the city.

David Burke, UCC Capital Projects Manager an Ursula Kilkelly, Head of the College of Business and Law representing the UCC Centre for Executive Education pictured accepting their award for Best in Heritage and Conservation at the Cork Business Association's Cork's Better Buildings Awards 2019 in association with Cork City Council and media partners The Echo.

9. Judges Choice

St. Patrick's Bridge

Following a €1.2 million repair and rehabilitation project by Cork City Council, which involved cleaning, repointing and repair of the stonework by Cumnor Construction, specialist repair and restoration work on its lamp columns, and replacement/resurfacing of its carriageways and footpaths, St. Patrick’s Bridge has been returned to its former glory as an iconic feature of Cork’s cityscape. Built in the mid-nineteenth century to a design by Joseph Hargrave and involving over one hundred skilled stone cutters and masons in its construction, this recent refurbishment work showcases this fine example of the city’s architectural heritage.

Tony O’Sullivan, Cork City Council, Julia Gebel, Gebel & Helling Conservation and Gareth O’Callaghan, JC Architects, representing St Patrick's Bridge pictured accepting the Judge's Choice Award at the Cork Business Association's Cork's Better Buildings Awards 2019 in association with Cork City Council and media partners The Echo.

Speaking at the awards, Lawrence Owens, CEO of Cork Business Association, said:

“The Cork Better Building Awards, which we are thrilled to once again partner with Cork City Council on, are a fantastic opportunity to encourage businesses to improve their facades and the overall look of the city. This year’s judging team put a lot of focus on recognizing maintenance and simple good housekeeping of buildings; tasks like painting and cleaning, planting and enhancements that make the very best of the building. I would like to congratulate all the winning businesses today on their well-deserved success and to thank them all for the valuable contribution they make to maintaining Cork’s image as a dynamic and vibrant place to live, work and do business. The facade and exterior areas of a building are one of its biggest selling tools, and one of our main aims in running these annual awards is to encourage everyone to have pride in their buildings and foster a pride of place in Cork.”

Also commenting, Ann Doherty, Chief Executive of Cork City Council, said:

“Cork City Council recognises how important it is to acknowledge and reward property owners who keep our buildings to a high standard and, in doing so, highlight Cork as a fantastic place to shop, work and live. Congratulations to all this year’s Better Buildings Award winners and thank you to all the award entrants for your efforts in maintaining your buildings to such a high standard.”

The awards are run by Cork Business Association and sponsored by Cork City Council and The Echo.

The 2019 judging panel included Ann Bogan, Senior Planner Cork City Council, Paul McGuirk, Local Enterprise Office Cork City, Mary Doyle, Executive Planner Cork City Council, Alan Healy, Deputy News Editor with The Echo, Eoin Kennedy, Zone Digital.