Information received from Chris Grayling MP on 28th July 2014:

I am writing to you with a couple of local updates. 

• Firstly, I wanted to let you know that we have just launched the 2014 Epsom and Ewell Business Excellence Awards. I launched the awards three years ago to recognise great local businesses and business people, in what were difficult times economically. Happily things have improved since then, but the awards will continue, as they have proved a great way to celebrate local firms and local entrepreneurship, and they are a way for everyone locally to say thank you to someone who has provided good service locally. 

The awards have now been established as a local trust, and will hopefully continue as a regular annual fixture locally. So I am writing to invite you to submit nominations for the awards. It might be that you want to say thank you to the local corner shop, the solicitors who have just done the conveyancing on your new house, or the nursery that looks after your children or grandchildren. The winners all get a trophy, extensive coverage in the Epsom Guardian, and often other prizes. 

You can nominate a business by going to the website www.epsombusinessawards.co.uk and filling in the form. Do go for it. 

These are the categories and how we define what the best looks like.  

Best Business for Commitment to the Community - sponsored by TWM Solicitors

You are a business with focus on community issues. This award recognises companies that are investing in the community in which they operate and those in greatest need, achieving sustainable impact on key social issues in these areas.

Best Business for Customer Service - sponsored by National Counties

How do you WOW your customers? Do you go that extra mile to attract and keep them? Tell us what great customer service should look like and how it has benefited your business.

Best Business Personality - sponsored by Toyota (GB) PLC

A leading business person who can demonstrate outstanding achievement within their business or the community. The business leader should have passion, vision and the drive to succeed.  They should be a compelling leader who embodies entrepreneurial spirit and isn't afraid to take risks and drive their business forward.

Best New Business - sponsored thebestof Epsom and Ewell

Best business that has been trading for less than one year and demonstates potential for future significent growth. We are looking for innovative business ideas. Did you identify a gap in the market for something new or perhaps you are offering an established product service with a special twist? The judges will be more focused on future potential rather than an entrant's ability to show turnover and profit growth at this early stage.

Best Business in Epsom & Epsom Downs - sponsored by The Ashley Centre

Any business that has shown exceptional performance across every aspect of its business from financial return, strong growth, innovative strategies and good customer service.

Best Business in Ewell & Stoneleigh - sponsored by Metro Bank

Any business that has shown exceptional performance across every aspect of its business from financial return, strong growth, innovative strategies and good customer service.

Best Business in Ashtead - sponsored by Milners

Any business that has shown exceptional performance across every aspect of its business from financial return, strong growth, innovative strategies and good customer service.

Best Website of Use of Social Media - sponsored by 143 The Canopy

The company that can demonstrate great use of social media to promote or build it's business or the use of a creative website to showcase it's business.

Best Young Entrepreneur - sponsored by Ashtead Hospital

Someone who is under 30 years old and shows real initiative and and has made a dramatic impact on their business or in the community. We are looking for businesses to nominate that special employee, who has made a significant contribution during the year to your business. This award recognises the input an individual makes to their company’s success. 

• Meanwhile for those involved in local businesses, I am holding the latest of our Business Breakfasts on September 25^th. The guest speaker will be Matthew Hancock MP, Minister of State for Business, Energy and Enterprise. If you would like more details please email office@epsomconservatives.org.uk. 

• I have written to Lidl to complain about their action in demolishing the old Organ and Dragon pub on the Ewell by-pass. As you may have seen, they have lodged an application to build a supermarket on the site. Following the decision by planning inspectors to block plans for a KFC on the site, it seems strange that any company would think that it was an appropriate site for a supermarket, given the fact that the last application was blocked because it would generate too much traffic. 

• Finally it’s been a vintage year for local fetes and fairs. I have been to a number of school events, as well as bigger local occasions like Ashtead Village Day, Nork Music in the Park and Ewell Village Fair. I just wanted to congratulate everyone who has been involved in organising them this year. 

With best wishes

Chris Grayling

This is one of Chris’s regular email updates for constituents. If you would like to reply to Chris please email him at: chris.grayling.mp@parliament.uk

Chris also holds regular Advice Surgeries in the constituency.  These surgeries give Epsom & Ewell constituents the opportunity to discuss matters which are important to them.  If you would like to arrange a 15 minutes appointment please contact the constituency office on 01372 271036.