Eastside Awards to celebrate the best of east Belfast - 2018 Launch

Tara Mills with Jonathan McAlpin of East Belfast Enterprise and Stephen Patton of George Best Belfast City Airport Credit: Kevin Scott / Belfast Telegraph

TV personality Tara Mills has helped launch the second annual Eastside Awards in association with George Best Belfast City Airport. Entries are now open for 13 categories recognising the best in business, food, independent retail, sport and volunteering which will be celebrated at a glittering ceremony at the Hastings Stormont Hotel in January. Jonathan McAlpin of East Belfast Enterprise said:  “Eastside Awards recognises everything that is the best about East Belfast. “From celebrating the achievements of our young people to those who are contributing to the economic impact of the area, to inspirational residents who volunteer their time to helping others and those who entertain or who are committed to our next generation.”
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Open for entry until 20 November, categories are:

• Eastside Award for Business Start Up
• Eastside Award for SME Business Growth
• Eastside Award for Independent Retailer
• Eastside Award for Contribution to the Community
• Eastside Award for Educator of the Year
• Eastside Award for Tourism
• Eastside Award for Foodie Destination
• Eastside Award for Community Project
• Eastside Award for Contribution to Sport
• Eastside Award for Contribution to the Arts
• Eastside Award for Business Employer of the Year
• Eastside Award for Young Person of the Year
• Eastside Award for Volunteer of the Year

Stephen Patton of George Best Belfast City Airport, said:  “We are delighted to once again partner with the Eastside Awards for the initiative’s second year. The event was extremely successful last year, and the response from the local community, businesses and residents was fantastic.  “As one of the biggest employers in east Belfast, the airport understands the importance of building strong and sustainable partnerships within our local community, and the Eastside Awards are an excellent opportunity to do that. “Belfast City Airport has a dedicated Community Commitment Plan which focuses on People, Education, Environment and Community. Over the years we have built extremely close relationships with our local community through a variety of initiatives, including our Adopted Schools programme, High Flyers Apprenticeship scheme and our Community Fund. We are delighted to partner with the Awards, which are developed to recognise and reward the achievements which make east Belfast an even better place for all to enjoy.”

To enter Eastside Awards in association with George Best Belfast City Airport by 20 November, log onto www.eastsideawards.org.

The free to enter awards are being supported by George Best Belfast City Airport, Phoenix Natural Gas, Belfast City Council, Belfast Harbour, Bravehearts NI, East Belfast Enterprise, Fleet Financial, Millar McCall Wylie, Rodgers and Finney, Solv Group, Titanic Foundation, Titanic Quarter, Ulster Bank and Wolseley UK.