TV star to host Richmond's business awards night

The invitation to present the awards follow the success of Murray's recent national tour and previous West End shows including his Olivier Award nominated 2001 show, My Gaff, My Rules and the 1999 Perrier Award winning show, And A Glass Of White Wine For The Lady.

Meanwhile, Jonathan West, an HND graphic design student from Richmond College, will see his award design being turned from concept into reality when it is given to the winners of the Local Business Awards.

Lucy Brazier, organiser of the awards, visited Richmond's HND students in January to explain the concept of the award to them and then went back a week later in order that the students could present their ideas to her. Jonathan's design beat 14 others to earn him two tickets to the awards celebration, which he will attend with his mum and where he will be presented with his own design in front of an audience of 600.

Some of the thrilled nominees for awards - one of which, Contribution to the Community, is sponsored by the Richmond and Twickenham Times - have been giving their reactions to their nomination.

Tit for Tat, a hat and accessory shop in Paved Court, Richmond, which has an on-site milliner, has been nominated for three awards, independent retailer and local business of the year and best use of marketing. Mary Spiteri, the shop's owner said she was pleasantly surprised to be nominated, she said: "But to be honest it was well deserved as it is one of the most unique shops in Richmond and certainly the most colourful."

The Foresters Bar in Hampton Wick is a finalist in the pub of the year category.

Licensees Tala Barrage and Jamal Tassabehji took over the pub in September 2002, determined to create an environment that reflected their cosmopolitan background.

"To reach this stage of the competition after such a short time in the business is a remarkable achievement," said Lucy Brazier one of the organisers of the awards. "They have every reason to be proud of themselves."

Cyber 3D, who design and develop 3D interactive and collaborative web sites is a start up of the year finalist. Gary Lowrey, Chief Executive, said: "With over 2000 votes and 139 entries to be one of four finalists for 'Start up of the Year 2003' is indeed a great achievement. Greater still, because the company was only formed last August by 10 individuals who met on the internet, created a virtual company and achieved the backing of Adobe a world leading software business."

Staff and Volunteers at Homelink Day Respite Care Centre are delighted that their charity has been nominated, their spokesman said: "We are delighted to receive this recognition and are grateful that the voluntary sector is recognised side by side with the business community."

Joli Perfect!'s Jacky Pey, owner of the specialist lingerie shop in Whitton said: "I'm so thrilled that Joli Perfect has been chosen as a finalist for the local business of the year award in Richmond. Providing real quality service to ladies in this area is what we are all about!" The business has also been nominated in best start up category.

This being the European Year of People with Disabilities, the organisers of the awards have decided to give a 'special' award to a local employer which has demonstrated good practice in equal opportunities in the employment and recruitment of disabled people.

This might include advertising, altering the way in which premises are organised or staff training.

Ms Brazier said: "We also want to recognise where an employer has considered the needs of and made reasonable adjustments to working practices to retain an employee who has acquired a disability. Many employers do not recognise or understand the benefits of employing a person with a disability' said Lucy.

"The figures show that disabled people stay in a job longer, reducing advertising, training and recruitment costs and disabled employees take on average 20 per cent less sick leave than their non-disabled colleagues. Many businesses are put off employing people with disabilities because they believe it will cost too much to provide wheelchair access, however only two per cent of people with disabilities are actually wheelchair bound and from later this year, new legislation will dictate that as a business you must provide access anyway.

"We hope that by giving this award we will encourage local employers to think more positively about the benefits of employing people with disabilities."

The Disability Resource Team, a local organisation that works with companies training on Disability Equality Awareness and The Disability Discrimination Act, will choose the winner of this award.

The Shooting Star Hospice will also benefit from the awards. The charity which is aiming to raise 6.5 million to provide care and support for children with life-limiting illnesses and for their families and friends, will be running a Silent Auction on the night of the awards as well as selling raffle tickets, in conjunction with the Twickenham Festival.

Prizes so far include a holiday for four in an Umbrian villa, health club days, an oil painting valued at over £1,000, an original cartoon from an artist at the Evening Standard and a voucher for Cashmere at N Peal.

To attend the Local Business Awards please visit http://www.localbusinessawards.com or call Lucy Brazier on 8296 1974.

The finalists in the Local Business Awards are as follows:

Entertainment Provider

The Orange Tree

The Bearcat

Richmond Film House

Landmark Arts Centre

Employee of the Year

Sooraya Canarapen, Chez Lindsay

Jesus Goyagana, Royal Mail

Paul Skelly, Homelink

Marianne Bernes, Mind

Contribution to the Community

Homelink

Shooting Star

Leonard Henry

Teddington Society

Best Use of Technology

Lichfield Cars

The Libraries

Lansdowne

Environmental Award

London United Buses

The Wetlands Centre

Best Training and Development Programme

Way to Work

HMV

London United Buses

Richmond Adult College

Best Use of Marketing

Richmond Theatre

Joli Perfect

Titfertat

Pub

The Foresters

The Cabbage Patch

The Eel Pie

The Lion

Independent Retailer of the Year

Olivers Wholefood

Pilates Plus

Titfertat

Teddington Hardware

Restaurant of the Year

Chez Lindsay

Taste of Mogul

Gouramys

Pallavi

Small Business of the Year

Jumbo Office Supplies

Sandys Fishmongers

Urban PA

Pilates Plus

Start Up of the Year

Joli Perfect

Cyber 3D

Eau Zone

Yummy Mummy

Health and Beauty Facility

Pilates Plus

Vitality

Elements

Leonard Henry

Customer Service

Urban PA

HMV

Lichfield Cars

York Pet Supplies

Local Business of the Year

Leonard Henry

The Wetlands Centre

Elements

Titfertat

The Cabbage Patch

Lichfield Cars

Pilates Plus

Urban PA

Sandys Fishmongers

Olivers Wholefood Stores

Joli Perfect

The Orange Tree

May 30, 2003 10:30