McKechnie Cleaning Services and Cameron Bakery were the top honourees at this year’s Cork Business Association’s (CBA) Cork Business of the Year Awards. Stevie Grainger picked up the Champion of Cork Award for his outstanding contributions to the music scene in Cork and his dedication to empowering young individuals in the community.
A further eleven awards were presented to Cork City businesses on the evening, who exemplified excellence and resilience, and a special acknowledgement was also made to former Director and Board Chair Claire Nash in recognition of her outstanding contribution to the CBA over many decades.
The awards took place at the CBA’s President’s Dinner at the Radisson Blu Hotel Little Island on Saturday 13th April, and celebrated the remarkable accomplishments of Cork’s vibrant business community. MC’d by RTE’s Paschal Sheehy, it brought together distinguished guests including the Lord Mayor of Cork Cllr Kieran McCarthy, Cathaoirleach of Seanad Éireann Sen. Jerry Buttimer, and Colm Burke, TD, Minister of State, alongside nearly 350 members of Cork’s business community.
Cork’s top hotel chefs from the Irish Hotels Federation Cork branch also came together with the CBA and local producers to create a very special ‘Taste of Cork’ menu, offering attendees an unforgettable dining experience. And the evening raised significant funds for the Rainbow Club Cork, supporting young people with autism.
Reflecting on the evening’s significance, Aaron Mansworth (Trigon Hotels), the newly elected President of the CBA, emphasized the collective strength of Cork’s business community in overcoming challenges and seizing opportunities. Mansworth remarked, “Cork, with its collaborative stakeholder ecosystem, is uniquely positioned to emerge as a vibrant, inclusive, and sustainable city. Our city is undergoing a period of considerable change. An unprecedented amount of national exchequer money has been invested in the city, which is a very attractive proposition for retailers and businesses alike. We are seeing new hotels and retailers opening and undergoing significant refurbishment, and we are aware of many others visiting Cork to consider its potential as a new market base, all of which shows growing confidence. Together, we have the power to make a significant difference. Together, and with collective effort, we have the power to shape the future of our city, to foster an environment where businesses, both big and small, can flourish. So let’s come together.”
The CBA Cork Business of the Year Awards, chosen by an independent judging panel and over 15,000 public votes, recognized outstanding achievements across various sectors. Notable winners include:
- McKechnie Cleaning Services (Overall winner, large Business): A family-owned business with a rich heritage spanning over 150 years, McKechnie Cleaning Services has evolved into a leader in contract cleaning and has become the national distributor of numatic products (Henry the hoover etc).
- Cameron Bakery (Overall winner, SME): Renowned for its exceptional cakes and commitment to quality, Cameron Bakery’s expansion to a new location on Patrick Street highlights its resilience and dedication to serving the community.
- Stevie Grainger (Champion of Cork Award): Recognized for his unwavering support for emerging talent and marginalized youth, Stevie Grainger’s contributions to Cork’s music scene have left an indelible mark on the community.
The awards ceremony also honored businesses OakFire Pizza for Sustainable Business Innovation, Marina Market for Best New Business, Rugs.ie for Best Cork Family Business, the Imperial Hotel as Best Cork Hotel, O’Sullivan’s Gastropub as Best Cork Restaurant, Moody Cafe Vin as Best Cork Café, Liberty Bar as Best VFI Pub. Best Cork Retail Business went to Flowers by To Have and To Hold, Crawford Gallery picked up the Best Tourism Arts Events Award, DBFL Consulting Engineering was acknowledged as the Best Professional Business, and Craving Cork won best digital award.
The awards are run in partnership with JCD, Centra, Peninsula Ireland, and media partner The Irish Examiner, recognise the value and achievement of Cork businesses who survived, thrived and innovated over the past year and those who have contributed to or promoted the enhancement of the commercial, cultural or civic life of Cork.
For more see corkbusiness.ie
NOTES:
2024 Award Winners of the CBA Cork Business of the Year Awards
- Cork Business of the Year Award (Large business): MCKECHNIE CLEANING SERVICES. A family name recognisable throughout Cork, the business is now under the directorship of its 4th and 5th generation. Over 150 years old, McKechnie Cleaning Services has evolved from its start as a Dry Cleaners to now being a leader in Contract cleaning and the national distributor of Numatic Machinery…or Henry the Hoover as we may know them! The judges loved McKechnie’s future plans – they see longevity in family directorship into the future, and are now integrating sustainability into the heart of everything they do. The business and McKechnie family also give a lot back to the community – you may have spotted them on RTE’s DIY SOS last year!
- Cork Business of the Year Award (SME): CAMERON BAKERY: With three gorgeous café and bakeries already in the city with high-quality exceptional cakes, this business is definitely loved in Cork. Although the whole sector has been hit hard, they recently announced the opening of yet another bakery on Patrick Street, a huge benefit to the street. ‘Outstanding’ was a word that came out strong in the Judges discussions.
- Champion of Cork Award, sponsored by MTU: STEVIE GRAINGER: Stevie Grainger (or Stevie G as he is known to many) has been active on the music and DJ scene in Cork for years, and is well known for his show on Cork’s RedFM and his ongoing work supporting and promoting musical talent in Cork and beyond What has really impressed so many of the judges for this award, and the wider community, has been Stevie’s unstinting support for, and creation of, initiatives that support younger people, and in particular people who may feel more marginalised in society. These include inclusive events such as Everybody Dance, youth oriented initiatives such as the Kabin Studio and The New School, and the youth group at the Cork Migrant Centre, which he co-founded with his colleague Naomi.
- Sustainable Business Innovation, sponsored by Cross Refrigeration: OAK FIRE PIZZA. OakFire Pizza embodies sustainability in every aspect of its operations. They have invested in eco-friendly practices across all five locations, from sourcing locally reducing KM travelled, to using wood-fired ovens abating the need for gas and oil, and their investment in the advanced SMOKI soot abatement systems, capturing emitted carbon and ensuring clean operations. They’ve even upgraded their entire vehicle fleet to minimize environmental impact. Their commitment extends to marketing efforts that encourage dining in, reducing waste due to less need for packaging and single use items.
- Best New Business Sponsored By LEO Cork City: MARINA MARKET:
With its vibrant atmosphere and diverse food offerings from 35 vendors, it’s no wonder it has become a beloved attraction for locals and visitors alike. Their newest addition, the Farmshop, is a testament to their commitment to supporting local Cork producers and artisans. Not only are they providing delicious food, but they’re also fostering a sense of community by hosting events that support sports, arts, and local crafts.
- Best Cork Family Business Sponsored by AIB: RUGS.IE. Born & bred in Cork, amd taken nationally by 2 generations of the Holland Family, rugs.ie which celebrates 30 years this year, has become the Ireland’s largest rug retailer with over 10k rugs available. Today, the business is led by Phoebe Holland and daughter of Brendan Holland with Phoebe’s aunt, Louise, still part of the team, bringing three decades of invaluable experience and that special family presence. The judges said, ‘The value, knowledge and expertise level of personalisation they bring to their customer service is phenomenal and proven in their hundreds of 5 star online reviews!’
- Best Cork Hotel Sponsored by IHF Cork Branch: THE IMPERIAL HOTEL. Winner of many other awards in ‘23/’24, and also a previous winner at the CBA Awards, this hotel is truly a timeless landmark in the heart of Cork City – the ‘Grande Dame’ of Cork. Under new ownership and management, they have stayed committed to protecting their exceptional guest experience and the tiny noticeable touches that make their guests stay memorable. And now, with their huge sustainability drives and commitments, they intend to protect the Grande Dame for the city for years to come. The judges loved their intention, and in the hotel’s wording, to ‘prioritise the bottom line of people, the planet and profit’.
- Best Cork Restaurant Sponsored by The English Market: O SULLIVANS GASTROPUB, DOUGLAS. A cherished establishment since 1955 serving as a bar and a restaurant. All judges felt they offered great food and a warm and comfortable atmosphere. Like all food establishments, they have had to overcome challenges, but were commended for their investments in staff training and upskilling, their energy-saving measures and the optimisations they have made to their menu without reducing their quality.
- Best Cork Café Sponsored by BARRY’S TEA: MOODY CAFE VIN. The voters choice, Moody Café Vin, has definitely set a new trend in the Café scene – inviting their customers to not only share food but also stories and smiles. They have designed the interior to give a homely feel for groups of friends to come and relax. Adding to that ambience, the walls at Moody’s Café are filled with art from local artists – so a small art gallery filled with Cork Talent.
- Best VFI Pub Sponsored by VFI: LIBERTY BAR. Re-opened in Oct ‘22, this bar has gone from strength to strength, and has won many bar awards. A relaxed bar downstairs and the Resistance Cocktail bar upstairs, The Liberty Bar really stood out for their active support of younger people running Open Mic nights, open comedy nights, poetry, storytelling and art shows exhibitions and Open deck nights. The Liberty has designed these nights to give younger up and coming artists the experience of this environment in a safe and welcoming way.
- Best Cork Retail Business Sponsored by Cork City Council: FLOWERS BY TO HAVE AND TO HOLD: Located in the Victorian Quarter, Sandra Looney has created a little oasis of calm in the city. The stylish window designs stand as a beacon on a busy street of restaurants and bars, craft fully put together by a team wholly passionate about flowers. With a passionate owner and referred to by the judges as a ‘Champion of Cork’, Sandra built the concept of Flowers by THTH when her core wedding business was affected by the COVID 19 restrictions, and has gone from strength to strength since. A very welcoming environment with staff who enjoy what they do – not to mention the abundance of floral scents when you walk in – definitely a deserved winner.
- Best Tourism Arts Events Sponsored by Failte Ireland: CRAWFORD GALLERY. Enjoyed by Corkonians but also a National Cultural institution, Crawford Art Gallery welcomes over 250,000 visitors a year, and are contributing substantially to tourism in Cork City. Throughout the year, Crawford keep their programme of events fresh and up to date from Family, to educational, historic and supporting contemporary Irish and International Art – for all tastes and ages. The judges applauded them for their most successful Culture Night to date in 2023 attracting over 4300 visitors, and were excited to see what they plan in the future once their extension building works are complete.
- Best Professional Services Business Sponsored by B2B Signs & B2B Print: DBFL CONSULTING ENGINEERING. A 100% owned Irish company with a new Cork office on South Mall, they located to be closer to clients in the construction, retail and technology sectors, but also to attract highly skilled grads that want to work in the city. Their passion and hope in current projects is to positively transform the built environment and social infrastructure of Cork City Centre and Metropolitan Cork area in the near future. Some of the projects they have already completed in Cork include strategic housing at the former docklands ford site, student accommodation at the former Coca cola site on Carrigrohane road…. And active travel networks throughout the county. They are now looking forward to working with the people of Cork on the potential refresh of Princes St, Cook St, Marlboro St, Grafton St, and Rochfords Lane. A true passion for Cork was seen in their entry submission.
- Best in Digital Business Sponsored by Cork Airport: CRAVING CORK. With 63,000 followers across their various social platforms, they are dedicated to promoting local businesses, showcasing the best of Cork enabling people to discover all of the best things to do, see and eat in the city.