Each year, The Stirling Business Awards presents local business owners with trophies in recognition of their achievements. This year, after a ballot of almost 11,000 votes, Go Forth Stirling Director Danielle McRorie-Smith visited 14 businesses to congratulate them on their wins.
The categories include Independent Retailer of the Year, which was awarded to The Scottish Gantry, located in Stirling Arcade, and retailer of the Year, which was won by Marks & Spencer’s.
The Charity of the Year award was presented to Strathcarron Hospice, who have been providing end of life care since 1981. Strathcarron CEO Mags McCarthy responded:
“We really are overwhelmed with this show of recognition from the people of Stirling and would like to say a huge thank you to those who voted for us to be Charity of the Year in the Stirling Business Awards.
“This is a huge honour and privilege and reflects the regard to which our wonderful community holds us. Everything we do in our community, is for our community, and with our community, to enable people to live and die well.
“To receive this accolade in our 45th anniversary year makes the award even more special and we hope to be here for another 45 providing vital care for palliative and end of life patients and their loved ones.”
Khyra Smith took home the award for Outstanding Woman in Business as a celebration of her contribution to the ‘safe haven’ charity Safebase. Khyra volunteers for the charity as a customer service adviser, in which she and her colleagues monitor the streets in Stirling and Falkirk at weekends and provide first aid and help to people who are in need of it. Upon acceptance, Khyra said:
“I’ve been volunteering with Safebase for about four years now and I really enjoy helping those who need support and meeting different people.
“I was quite surprised to be nominated but it meant a lot and then it was eye opening to hear how many people were voting for me and to win was just amazing. I’m only 21 and feel absolutely honoured to receive this award – I always try to do the best I can so this will inspire me to continue doing that.”
Other award categories include Bar/ Pub of the year was given to Molly Malone’s, while Stirling’s Café of the Year went to Port Street’s Janna’s Bakery. Meanwhile, Stirling’s Restaurant of the Year was won by the fine dining restaurant An Darna, which can be found on Friars Street.
On the fourth year celebrating Stirling businesses, Ms McRorie-Smith said:
“The Stirling Business Awards have once again been well supported by the business community and the public and we were delighted to recognise and reward our entrepreneurial business owners and their teams.”
Full List of Award Winners
Outstanding Woman in Business – Khyra Smith of Safebase
Charity of the Year – Strathcarron Hospice
Restaurant of the Year – An Darna
Café/Coffee Shop of the Year – Janna’s Bakery
Independent Retailer of the Year – The Scottish Gantry
Retailer of the Year – Marks & Spencer
Visitor Attraction of the Year – Stirling Castle
Pub/Bar of the Year – Molly Malones
Hair & Beauty Business of the Year – Studio Twenty Two
New Business of the Year – Souperb
Accommodation of the Year – King Street Aparthotel
Service-led Business of the Year – Crafted Dental
Charity Shop of the Year – SOSN
Most Attractive Shop Front – Made in Stirling
Feature Image Credit: The Stirling Business Awards
