Hartlepool's award winning businesses are revealed after glittering ceremony

Winner of the Manufacturer of the Year and Business of the Year 2016 at the Hartlepool Business Awards, JDR Cables, at Hartlepool Borough Hall, last night.

JDR Cables, in Greenland Road, lifted two titles in the Hartlepool Business Awards last night, held at the Borough Hall in front of an audience of more than 300 people.

JDR’s triumph included landing the biggest title of them all - the Hartlepool Business of the Year just minutes after winning the manufacturing category.

The firm has enjoyed phenomenal growth since it first opened in Hartlepool in 2008, expanding from 97,000 sq ft of warehouse space to more than 280,000 sq ft now.

It now employs more than 200 people, and can also boast being Hartlepool’s Business of the Year for the second time, having taken the title just two years ago.

Other winners on a night filled with highlights included Alby Pattison, the managing director of Hart Biologicals, taking the Business Leader of the Year title.

His specialist firm, based on the Queens Meadow Business Park, makes biological medical devices used in the investigation of blood clotting disorders.

And there were more honours for Hart Biologicals when it won the investment in training category.

There was joy, too, for Pro-active Safety which was chosen as the Most Promising New Business.

It only opened late last year but it has already created 140 apprenticeship places, put 160 people on training courses, and now has a Hartlepool centre which is already full to capacity.

Champions in the Service sector were Victoria Road-based Poppys Hairdressing which has cut the hair of Tees Valley clients for 28 years.

Matthew Wilson, the third generation of his family to go into business, was the Young Entrepreneur of the Year.

And the Community category was taken by Changing Futures North East for supporting 760 families to have healthier relationships. Luke Robertson was a happy man after his two firms Crimzon Point and Wallchimp took the Creative Industries crown for their work in custom-designed decorations.

Best Small Business winner was Lingotots, set up by Abigail Curtis to encourage children to learn French and Spanish.

And in the Tourism, Leisure and Hospitality sector, the Heugh Battery was victorious for its exciting facilities and new programme of events.

Watch out for full interviews with all of the winners, and more photographs, in a Hartlepool Mail supplement next Tuesday.