This is for you - boss praises the people of Hartlepool after award win

Heugh Battery manager Diane Stephens receiving the award from Hartlepool Council Leader Christopher Akers-Belcher (right) and Kevin Cranney (left) of Hartlepool Borough Council.

It was a night to remember for Heugh Battery officials at the Hartlepool Business Awards.

The Battery won the Tourism, Leisure and Hospitality category of the awards after judges heard recent fundraising drive, and publicity through the Hartlepool Mail, has helped to raise the profile of the battery which is the site of the only First World War battlefield in Britain.

Hartlepool United Community Sports Foundation receives the Community award from Hartlepool Council Leader Christopher Akers-Belcher (right) and Joy Yates, JPI Media North East Editorial Director, (3rd from right).

Earlier this week, the Hartlepool Mail revealed the news that the £5,000 needed to save the site had been raised - and topped by an extra £1,000-plus.

Now comes news that the battery is a Business Awards winner.

Battery Museum manager Diane Stephens said: “This is down to Hartlepool and Hartlepool people. This does not belong to us. It belongs to the businesses in the room, to the people who supported us. It belongs to everyone and it belongs to the volunteers.”

The Battery was one of a string of winners in an awards night to remember at the Borough Hall. Here’s the first part of our rundown on this year’s champions.

Investment in Training Award winners North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Trust are presented with their award by Hartlepool Council Leader Christopher Akers-Belcher (right) and Darren Hankey (left) Principal & Chief Executive of Hartlepool College of Further Education.

Tourism, Leisure and Hospitality, sponsored by Passport Group.

Winner - Heugh Battery.

Battery manager Diane Stephens described the win as ‘completely unexpected’ and added: “It has been such a roller coaster ride.”

The Battery was on a fundraising drive to raise £5,000 which was reached just days before the awards night.

Young Entrepreneur of the Year Jack Hanlon receives his award from Hartlepool Council Leader Christopher Akers-Belcher (right) and Michael Bretherick (left) Director of Gus Robinson Foundation.

Also shortlisted;

Agora Turkish Cuisine.

CrossFit Hartlepool.

Community Award, sponsored by the Hartlepool Mail.

Business Leader of the Year Raj Singh with Hartlepool Council Leader Christopher Akers-Belcher (right) and Andrew Steel (left) of the Hartlepool Business Forum.

Winner - Hartlepool Utd Community Sports Foundation.

HUCSF manager Keith Nobbs hailed the awards win as ‘a great honour’ after so much work has gone in to helping everyone from toddlers to the over 50s.

The 10-year-old organisation with eight staff reaches people from all walks of life, targeting areas such as anti-social behaviour and enriching people’s later lives.

Keith added: “I must say a big thank you to all our staff and the hard work that all of them have put into this.”

Also shortlisted;

BloomInArt Northeast CIC.

The Overall Business of the Year award went to Gus Robinson Developments Ltd. It was received by MD Stephen Bell and Finance Director Jeanette Henderson. Presenting the award isHartlepool Council Leader Christopher Akers-Belcher (right) and Kevin Byrne (left), MD of Seymour Civil Engineering.

Utility Alliance.

Heugh Battery.

Investment in Training, sponsored by Hartlepool College of Further Education.

Winner - North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust.

Collaborationhas been the key for the Trust which has worked with Hartlepool Borough Council and Hartlepool College of Further Education to develop training programmes.

One is an apprenticeship programme to support better outcomes for residents.

In another programme, with Hartlepool College of Further Education, the Trust has developed leadership programmes for ‘first line’ managers.

Deputy director of workforce Gary Wright said: “The key bit is the collaboratve working.

“It is fantastic that we have won. It demonstrates all the hard work we have done.”

Also shortlisted;

Hart Biologicals.

Young Entrepreneur Award, sponsored by the Gus Robinson Foundation.

Winner - Jack Hanlon.

Former English Martyrs student Jack has revitalised a name that is well known in Hartlepool. His Park Road business Pools Surplus Stores stocks army surplus from countries all over the world.

Jack was ‘overwhelmed’ to win and said: “It makes me feel that I am doing something right in business.”

Also shortlisted;

Daniel Port.

Jordan Lee White.

Ami Ford.

Business Leader of the Year, sponsored by Hartlepool Business Forum.

Winner - Raj Singh.

Judges praised the Pools chairman for ‘taking a business from the brink of extinction’ but Raj was keen to stress the future when he spoke to the Mail.

“We want to bring success. We have not achieved anything yet,” he said. “I think it is feasible to get back in the league. It depends on a lot of things but it won’t be through lack of trying,”

Also shortlisted;

Samantha Lee- Publicity Seekers.

Darren Sutherland – Utility Alliance.

Stephen Bell- Gus Robinson.

Overall Business of the Year, sponsored by EDF Energy.

Winner - Gus Robinson Developments.

Managing director Stephen Bell was ‘ecstatic’ to be at the helm of Hartlepool’s Business of the Year. He said: “This is a massive testament to the people who are in the business.

“It is a huge pat on the back.”

GRD’s exceptional growth culminated in its sale in 2018 to Thirteen Homes. It is a wholly owned trading subsidiary and continues to carry out services upon which the business has rebuilt since 2014 and enjoyed growth. It delivers opportunities for people of Hartlepool and funds and supports young people in their aspirations.

Also shortlisted;

Hartlepool Carers.

Mark Lloyd FIPG Master Goldsmith.

Utility Alliance.

Watch out for interviews and photographs with more of the winners in Monday’s Hartlepool Mail.