Finalists announced for 2025 Ballymena Business Excellence Awards!

Chamber President Mark Wiggins with Mayor of Mid and East Antrim Borough Council Councillor Jackson Minford with representatives of local businesses sponsoring the 2025 Ballymena Business Excellence Awards

The names of the finalists for the 2025 Ballymena Business Excellence Awards have been announced, celebrating the innovation, resilience, and community spirit of local businesses across the Ballymena area.

Organised annually by the Ballymena Area Chamber of Commerce and Industry, this year’s awards are once again sponsored by Mid and East Antrim Borough Council as principal sponsor.

Chamber Chief Executive Tom Wiggins said the response from local businesses this year has been exceptional.

“We were taken aback to some extent by the number of entries this year with entries up by over 65% from 2022,” he said.

“Indeed, we have had to increase the number of finalists this year. This is for two reasons — firstly some of the awards attracted as many as fifteen entrants and the standard of entries has been exceptionally high.”

Chamber President Mark Wiggins with Mayor of Mid and East Antrim Borough Council Councillor Jackson Minford

Chamber President Mark Wiggins praised the dedication and ambition shown by Ballymena’s business community.

“Whilst the number and quality of the entries created their own pressures, it is great to see that Ballymena businesses continue to grow and thrive,” he said.

“As a Chamber we are delighted that so many local businesses have decided to enter the awards — indeed thirty-two businesses who had never previously entered the awards have applied this year.

“I would like to take this opportunity to thank Mid and East Antrim Borough Council our principal sponsor together with our other sponsors — without their support there would be no awards.”

A Record-Breaking Year for Ballymena Businesses

Last year’s Gala Awards Evening attracted 474 guests, marking one of the biggest Chamber Award ceremonies in Northern Ireland.

This year’s glittering event will take place on Thursday, 23rd October, at the Tullyglass House Hotel, with Cool FM’s Pete Snodden as compere and entertainment from New Light.

In addition to 20 awards for business excellence, the Chamber also sponsors two special honours — the Special Recognition Award and the Services to the Community Award — which celebrate individuals or organisations making a positive impact in the local area.

Showcasing Ballymena’s Best

The finalists for 2025 represent a diverse range of sectors, from innovative start-ups to long-established local employers.

Mr Wiggins added:

“We are looking forward to another fabulous evening, showcasing all that is good about business in the local area. Tickets are selling well for what is now the leading event in the Ballymena Business Calendar.

“I would like to congratulate all the finalists and wish them good luck for the Gala evening where the winners will be announced.”

Tickets and further information are available by contacting Tom Wiggins at office@ballymenachamber.co.uk.

Finalists – 2025 Ballymena Business Excellence Awards

Business Growth Award

Neo-Environmental • Ross Companies • The JAQ Group • UDS Group • Wrightbus

Best Innovative Small Business

Cooked by Callum • Galgorm Melts • Nourish and Nurture • The Eden Playgroup • We Are Waymaker

Team of the Year

Dougies • Duality Healthcare • MB Motors • McDonalds Ballymena • Newbridge Financial Planning

Most Promising New Business

Flax • Skin & Co • The Dogs Inn • The Groomery • Trilogy Alignment

Best Use of Digital Media

Gibson Paving • MB Motors • Skin & Co • The Dogs Inn • Travelmax

Customer Service/Service Sector

Duality Healthcare • JTEC IT • McCarroll McConnell • Starling Entertainments • Vera McCullough

Employee of the Year

Beth Williams – McDonalds Ballymena • Courtney McAllister – Habitat ReStore • Helena McDonnell – Neo Environmental • Ryan Baird – Eurospar Cullybackey • Tara Cupples – We Are Waymaker

Right Place to Work

McDonalds Ballymena • Norbev • Pilgrims Europe • Start 360 • The Adair Arms

Family Business of the Year

Ben Vista Nursery and Garden Centre • BH McKeague Optometrist • Café Sorrento • Fleck Metal Solutions • Gibson Paving

Sustainability Award

AD Sustainability • Galgorm Melts • Norbev • Pilgrims Europe • Wrightbus

Involvement in the Community

Eurospar Cullybackey • McKillops Spar • Ross Companies • Spar Broughshane • The Adair Arms Hotel

Diversity and Inclusion Award

McDonalds Ballymena • Galgorm Resort • Good Morning Ballymena • Habitat ReStore • Triangle Progression to Employment Service

Best Young Person in Business

Callum Irwin – Cooked by Callum • Connor Martin – The JAQ Group • Harry Wylie – Recovery Zone • Lauren Kelso – Illustrator

Skills Development Award

Pilgrims Europe • Spar Ahoghill • We Are Waymaker

Business Premises Award

Alice K Beauty • Dougies Goodies • Eden • Eurospar Doury Road • Grassmen – Tower Centre

Social Enterprise of the Year

Good Morning Ballymena • Habitat ReStore Ballymena

Customer Service Award – Retail

Boots – The Tower Centre • Country Garage BMW • Create and Conquer • Next – Fairhill Shopping Centre • River Island – Fairhill Shopping Centre • Travelmax • Vodafone – Fairhill Shopping Centre

Customer Service Award – Hospitality

Bob and Berts • Gatto’s Ristorante • Rococo • Shot • Sunny’s • The Grouse • The Thatch

Best Restaurant Award

Flax • Gatto’s Ristorante • Rococo • The Adair Arms Hotel • The Grouse • The Thatch Inn