Thursday 20th September 2018 saw the 6th year of Merton Chamber of Commerce’s Merton Best Business Awards, with a return to the All England Lawn Tennis Club after their refurbishment.  The evening was an amazing celebration of business success in the borough, and also an event that demonstrated partnership working and the talent we have in Merton.

CEO of Merton Chamber of Commerce, Diana Sterck said “Once again we have seen that we have such depth of hard working, entrepreneurial and successful businesses in Merton.

The awards were a showcase for the very best businesses in the borough with over 220 guests in the audience, there was a real palpable atmosphere of success in the room.

Many congratulations to the much deserving grand final winners, and also to those businesses shortlisted as a finalist. In my view they are all winners because their businesses have been judged by other business people, a very powerful endorsement indeed. Everyone should be proud of the businesses that contribute so much to the local economy.”

The winners and runners up come from a wide range of industries, showing business excellence throughout Merton. RyGas Ltd, a growing and successful property maintenance company based in Morden, took the coveted Overall Winner award home.

The evening kicked off with The Andrew Wakefield Award, a special award that was started last year after the sad passing of Andrew, the former Chair of Merton Chamber of Commerce, in 2016.  The winner of the award this year fulfilled three important values: Entrepreneurship; A sense of Community and the ability to connect people to add value to make this a fabulous borough to work and do business in.  In recognition of their substantial contribution to the local community the award this year was presented to Mick Dore from The Alexandra pub. 

The full list of Winners and runners up are:

Overall Winner

RyGas Ltd

Best New Business

Winner – Swords Travel Ltd

Runner Up – CHARLOTTE LOVES

Best Service Excellence

Winner – RyGas Ltd

Runner Up – SPS Timber Windows

Best Apprentice Of The Year

Winner – Ibolya Gyero, Lu-Ma Cafe

Runner Up – Lukasz Sosgornik, The Alexandra

Entrepreneur Of The Year

Winner – Leanna Barrett, Little Forest Folk

Runner Up – Sahaj Kothari, Make In 3D

Best Enterprising Business

Winner – SANTORO Ltd

Runner Up – Make In 3D

Best In The Creative Sector

Winner – SANTORO Ltd

Runner Up – 360 Ripple

The Extra Mile

Winner – Kew House Care Home

Runner Up- Kisiel Group

Team Development

Winner – Eligo Recruitment

Best Business in Wimbledon Town Centre

Winner – The Alexandra

Runner Up – Justin James Hotel

Employer of the Year

Winner – Ltd White Light Ltd

Runner Up – Finling Associates

Healthy Workplace

Winner – Harnham Group Ltd

Runner – Retail IT

Best Business under 50 Employees

Winner – Art Division

Runner Up – Little Forest Folk

Best Business over 50 Employees

Winner – Harnham Group Ltd

Runner Up – Kew House Care Home

Best Customer Service

Winner – Wimbledon Babysitting Agency

Runner Up – Bakou

Restaurant of the Year

Winner – Lu-Ma Cafe

Runner Up – Sai Restaurant

Pub of the Year

Winner – The Alexandra

Runner Up – Prince of Wales

The Andrew Wakefield Award

Mick Dore, The Alexandra Pub

About Merton Chamber of Commerce:

Merton Chamber of Commerce is a limited company and non-profit making organisation which was set up in 1992.  As the largest area based Chamber of Commerce in London, we have a reputation for understanding business, and supporting sustainable business growth. We have built our connections and knowledge over the past 25 plus years, and use our established marketing channels, and extensive business database to connect and raise the profile of our business members.

For further information, interviews, contact: Diana Sterck, diana.sterck@mertonchamber.co.uk