THE shopkeeper who started Curley's supermarket in west Belfast nearly half a century ago and then sold it to Sainsbury's has been honoured with a lifetime achievement accolade at the Belfast Business Awards.
Kennedy Centre owner Hugh Kennedy, still known fondly as ‘Curley’, earned the special recognition for his 50 years in business, during which time he provided substantial sustainable employment for hundreds of people.
He started off with just £20 and a small shop on west Belfast's Glen Road in 1969 with a floor space of just 500 sq ft, and by 2008 had built up a business with sales of more than £50 million before selling it to Sainsbury's in a multi-million pound deal.
In the citation, Mr Kennedy was described as "a shining example of what these awards are about - entrepreneurship, passion, vision and commitment in making Belfast a city which punches above its weight.”
The awards ceremony in the iconic Saint Anne’s Cathedral, organised by Belfast Chamber of Trade and Commerce, sponsored by Bank of Ireland UK and compered by Sarah Travers and Pete Snodden, saw 22 category winners announced.
Chamber president Michelle Greeves said: “Tonight was a truly outstanding display of the excellence that this city exudes both in terms of business, commerce and of the wonderful people, who work, live and do business here."
Winners include FinTrU Ltd (best company to work for and business growth), the Ivory Restaurant (best eatery) and TapSOS (best technology firm), while Joanne Stuart from Catalyst Inc was named business person of the year and Andrew Fulton from Dawson Andrews took the young business person category.
The complete list of winners at the Belfast Business Awards were:
:: Customer Service Excellence (Independent Retailer), sponsored by Power NI) - SPAR Ardoyne, the Wall Group. Highly commended – Seams Perfect
:: Social Enterprise of the Year, sponsored by Belfast City Council - The Ortus Group
:: Customer Service Excellence (hospitality sector), sponsored by Patterson Electronics – Fratelli
:: Employee of the Year, sponsored by Lacuna Developments – Diane Dyer (Bravissmo). Highly commended - Roisin Moss (Abacus Professional Recruitment)
:: Customer Service Excellence (professional business service), sponsored by CBRE – Webrecruit Ireland. Highly commended - Lowry Grace Consulting
:: Small business coach/mentor of the year, sponsored by Belfast City Council – Niamh Taylor
:: Best Digital Business, sponsored by Exterion Media – Groundswell Growth Ltd
:: Best New Business, sponsored by Hampton by Hilton – TQ Park Ltd (Vertigo Indoor Skydiving)
:: Young Business Person, sponsored by Victoria Square – Andrew Fulton (Dawson Andrews)
:: Best Creative Business, sponsored by Destination CQ – Titanic Denim
:: Best Coffee Shop, sponsored by CastleCourt – Bob & Bert's, Lisburn Road
:: Best Eatery, sponsored by CastleCourt – The Ivory Restaurant
:: Involvement in the Community, sponsored by East Belfast Mission – winner – The Welcome Organisation
:: Best technology-based business sponsored by McCausland Light & Rankin Ltd – TapSOS Ltd
:: Business Person of the Year, sponsored by Value Cabs - Joanne Stuart (Catalyst Inc). Highly commended - Samuel J Anderson (Icemos Technology)
:: Best Marketing Initiative, sponsored by Red Box Media – Translink
:: Best Company to Work for, sponsored by Downtown/Cool FM/ Downtown Country – FinTrU Ltd
:: Best Business Premises, sponsored by Belfast One – Golf Now
:: Best Age-Friendly Business, sponsored by Belfast Health Development Unit – Queen's Film Theatre
:: Best Family Business, sponsored by MKB Law – Mascott Construction
:: Business Growth Award, sponsored by Grant Thornton - FinTrU Ltd
:: Lifetime Achievement Award, sponsored by Bank of Ireland UK – Hugh Kennedy
