Entries sought for ‘Best in Cork’ awards

AN important role of any Local Authority is supporting businesses.

Cork County Council is passionate about promoting the county as an attractive place for businesses to locate, to grow and to expand; as a location for people to invest; and for employers and employees to live. It is the businesses and the people behind them that are the lifeblood of our towns and villages. They make a contribution to every aspect of life. It is the businesses of County Cork that make it such a great place to work, live, invest in and visit.

We’ve launched the Cork County Council Best in Cork awards to recognise the vital contributions businesses and tourism providers make to the county, while acknowledging the efforts being made to promote a sustainable future. 

We want to hear about the successes, what makes each business unique, and how they have overcome challenges.

There is a strong theme of sustainability throughout the awards. It is vital that we all work together to face the challenges posed by our changing climate. Cork County Council is keen to take on that challenge, however, we cannot achieve our goals without the support of businesses and of course the people of County Cork. The business community is going to great lengths already to make its operations more sustainable and we want to recognise and acknowledge their efforts.

The awards are an opportunity for businesses to pause and reflect on what they’ve achieved. There are incredible companies and tourist attractions located in County Cork, from the sole trader and new startup to businesses that have been in the same family for generations and multinationals employing thousands. These independent traders, tourism operators, small, medium and large businesses are an integral part of their respective communities, whether it’s the community of their staff, their clients or the place they are located in the county. 

Many are working quietly, and we want to shine a spotlight on the efforts they go to every single day for their employees, customers and the wider community.

The awards are open to businesses and tourism providers of all sizes and sectors operating in County Cork. They are free to enter and there are tangible benefits for businesses. There are nine categories with additional regional award winners for best startup, small, medium and large businesses so the chances of winning are high. Being shortlisted and winning awards can help to boost morale and may even assist with attracting top talent to join that team. Awards help businesses to boost their credibility and have the added benefit of free publicity.

It has been a tough few years for everyone. Businesses faced prolonged periods of closure during the pandemic, the ongoing challenges with recruitment and the rising cost of doing business. It has been inspiring to see businesses across the county weather these storms, especially over the past four years. New businesses have grown and others have emerged stronger than ever. Innovation is another theme across all categories. We want to hear how businesses have adapted, the challenges they’ve faced and how they have stayed in business. 

The awards are another way of us showing our support and gratitude to our vibrant business community.

We’ve kept the awards process as simple as possible. We’re asking applicants to fill in an online form providing some basic information about their business, including where they’re located, how long they’re in business and how many people they employ. That’s followed by a small number of specific questions relevant to each category. There is a maximum of six questions and the judges will be looking for examples of innovation, sustainability and excellence.

The finalists will be chosen from across the county by an independent panel of judges. The award will culminate with a gala ceremony at Vertigo, Cork County Hall on Thursday, January 25 2024 when the Mayor of the County of Cork, Cllr Frank O’Flynn will reveal the nine category award winners and the winner of the Mayor’s Best Overall Business.

The deadline for businesses to submit an application for Best Start-Up, Best Small, Best Medium and Best Large Business is 5.00pm on Sunday, October 15. Entries for the remaining categories will be accepted until Sunday, November 12. To enter, please visit the Cork County Council website at https://www.corkcoco.ie/en/business/best-in-cork-awards