Football club comes out top for its business sense

Havant & Waterlooville FC was the overall winner of MP Alan Mak's third Havant Small Business Awards, which took place on Friday. 

The Hawks have enjoyed success on and off the pitch in recent years, achieving back-to-back promotions to reach the highest level of the non-league pyramid and growing a thriving commercial business with the Westleigh pub, which won the Best Pub Award.

The club is also well known for its work in Leigh Park through the Hawks in the Community programme, providing outreach and sporting activities for young people.

Businesses from across the Havant constituency were recognised in 12 categories at prize-giving ceremony at South Downs College. 

The awards received a record number of nominations from the public, with more than 500 local business put forward. 

Mr Mak said: '˜Backing our local businesses and the hardworking people behind them is a top priority for me.

'˜The awards celebrated some of the best businesses from across the Havant constituency for a third year.

'˜The Hawks were deserving winners, with the Westleigh growing in popularity as a year-round venue, and the team's efforts on the pitch galvanising the whole local community.

'˜With leadership from chairman Derek Pope, general manager Adi Aymes and club manager Lee Bradbury, they are role models for how a community football club should operate.' 

Scott Armstrong, bar manager of the Westleigh, said: '˜I'm delighted The Westleigh - the beating heart of the Hawks - won Alan Mak's top business award after some great performances from our staff and players on and off the pitch.

'˜We're proud to be at the heart of the community.' 

On the night, aside from the awards, a charity raffle raised more than £500 for the Southern Domestic Abuse Service and the Royal British Legion. 

Mike Gaston, principal of HSDC, said: '˜Havant & South Downs College was once again delighted to host the a wards, which were an opportunity to remember the vital role that small businesses make to our community both from a business point of view and in creating community cohesion.' 

 

Best Pub

Winner: The Westleigh

Runners-up: The Lifeboat Inn, Ralph's Wine, Gin and Tapas Bar, The Leigh Park Trade Union Working Men's Club

 

Best Family Business

Winner: Hayling Cycles

Runners-up: Pallant House Play Café, Bentley Walker

 

Best Takeaway

Winner: Le Petit Pain

Runners-up: Mother Kelly's Fish and Chips, Whistlers Fish & Chips, Coastguard Café

 

Best Street Vendor or Home Based Business

Winner: Harry's Sausages

Runners-up: Look Foxy, Happy Tailz

 

Best Health and Beauty Business

Winner: DeBeaut By Della and Donna

Runners-up: The Beauty Studio, Kuru Hair, Beauty & Training Studio

 

Best Café

Winner: The Spring Arts & Heritage Centre

Runners-up: Ruby's Tearoom, Boswells Café

 

Best Restaurant

Winner: Chef Sam@33

Runners-up: Ferry Boat Inn, The Wheelwright's Arms

 

Best New Business

Winner: Southern Energy Training Academy (SEATUK)

Runner-up: Brayber Group Recruitment, Ginga Auto Body Repairs

 

Best Local Tradesperson

Winner: Ginga Auto Body Repairs

Runner-up: Grate Fyres

 

Best Contribution to the Community

Winner: Angel Radio

Runners-up: Southern Energy Training Academy (SEATUK), Jacqui Unal

 

Best Apprentice

Winner: Connor Duffy (Brayber Group Recruitment)

 

Business Personality of the Year

Winner: Kelly Edney (Dust Dolly)

Runner-up: Nerine Bloomfield Strawn - Been Nerined