Altrincham & Sale’s business stars honoured

A PHOTOGRAPHER, a clothing repair business and an expanding replacement windows specialist, were among the winners at this year’s Altrincham & Sale Chamber of Commerce annual business awards.

Sale-based The Window Company won the business of the year title. The firm, which is highly rated for customer servuces, has recently hired extra fitters to meet increasd demand.

Altrincham-based The Zipyard won the retailer of the year title. It has growing from just one member of staff and two seamstresses in 2011 to having Chancellor George Osborne opening its second centre in Wilmslow last year. The Zipyard now has 12 seamstresses and four sales staff and is on track to hit a target of £500,000 turnover by the end of the year.

Sale law firm Slater Heelis won the provider of professional services award, while Bowdon-based photographer Martin Hambleton, who specialises in weddings and corporate functions, won the small business of the Year as he has developed a successful business whilst supporting the Chamber for a number of years and works with Start Up Business Services to support other new firms.

Dave and Nicola Hulme, who founded a charity in memory of their son, Alex, won charity of the year.  The Alex Hulme Foundation has so far raised over £165,000 to fund pioneering research run by Dr Suzanne Turner, the only paediatric Lymphoma researcher.

Sue Aldridge, president of Altrincham and Sale, said: “After the success of the awards last year, it was vital to continue to recognise the outstanding businesses and the people behind them within our community. “

Other winners include Bridging Finance (property team of the year), and the Cresta Court Hotel in the leisure and tourism category.