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Small business of the year
sponsored by Charles Church
WINNER - Emma James Physiotherapy
A BOXMOOR physiotherapist has brought the type of top quality treatment on offer in London to patients in Hemel Hempstead.
Emma James Physiotherapy and Clinical Pilates opened in Fishery Passage in January 2004.
Emma James | The company has won this year's Small Business of the Year category.
Owner Emma James only decided to enter the business into the Dacorum Business Awards after one of her clients suggested that she should.
She said: “This is a really good boost for the practice. We are all working so hard and anything that improves recognition locally is a fantastic thing.”
Business has boomed at the centre, which offers a whole package of physiotherapy, pilates and a rehabilitation gym.
29-year-old physiotherapist Mrs James said: “I set up the business when I moved into the area about four years ago because I wanted to provide excellent customer service in terms of physiotherapy, because I have worked in lots of excellent centres in London, which I wanted to bring to this area.”
The company has also opened in-house clinics inside offices, including DSG in Maylands Avenue, Hemel Hempstead and London based firms.
Next Mrs James plans to open a creche at its Boxmoor base so that new mums can come for physiotherapy treatment without having to worry about child care.
Runner-Up - Britannia Wardrobes
A HEMEL Hempstead wardrobe company has been leading the way in the sliding wardrobe industry for years.
Britannia Wardrobes' boss Ray Wilson has just seen finished designs on a
brand new wardrobe interior concept, which he says will put the firm
well-ahead in the wardrobe industry.
The company has never entered the Dacorum Business Awards before because Mr Wilson thought it appeared presumptuous to promote his own business.
He said: “I'm a big head at the best of times, but when it comes to something like this I felt it was presumptuous to talk about oneself or one's own company.
“But then I felt for the sake of the team I really ought to do it. I sing their praises and through this I thought I ought to shout their praises.”
The wardrobe specialists has been awarded runner up in the Small Business of the Year category.
The firm recently opened a one-stop bedroom furniture shop at their premises in Ebberns Road, Hemel Hempstead. The factory was first purchased by Mr Wilson, whose background is in double glazing, in 1981.
Staff at Britannia Wardrobes oversee the development of their wardrobes from design and manufacture to installation. Mr Wilson said: “We have become control freaks, which means that we can give a guaranteed service to all our customers.”
Highly commended -Toni and Guy
OFFERING the latest hair styles straight from the catwalk Toni and Guy in Hemel Hempstead is a cut above the rest.
The hair salon in Marlowes has established itself as one of the leading hairdressers in the area since opening in July 1998.
Toni and Guy has been highly commended in the Small Business of the Year category.
The popular salon keeps its 22 staff happy with social events, birthday celebrations and group meetings and the salon has retained more than 60 per cent of its staff for five years or more. Customer care is of paramount importance to Toni and Guy. Customers receive regular offers and discounts and get a complimentary consultation to discuss what haircut they would like.
The salon has serviced more than 10 per cent of the local population with 76 per cent returning for more.
Highly commended - Bedknobs
BEDKNOBS puts years of experience into helping customers find the right bed for comfort and support and to suit their budget. The small family business has been an independent bed retailer for 25 years and has branches in Hemel Hempstead and St Albans. The manager of the St Albans branch, Mac Spencer has worked for Bedknobs for 25 years. Director Darren Clark spent two years working to improve business by working on sales techniques and has increased turnover from £300,000 to £500,000 in the past five years.
Highly commended - M and V
A HUSBAND and wife team set up Boxmoor computer company M and V in June 2005.
David and Sunisa Hemming set up the IT business in Ashtree Way, which provides hardware and software support services.
The firm, which had a turnover of more than £100,000 at the end of its first year trading, has been highly commended in the Small Business of the Year category.
David, 47, first met wife Sunisa during a trip to China in 2000. A year later they got married in Bangkok and now have a daughter called Emily. | 