Liskeard and Looe Radio: Traders celebrated and flags raised

Finally, after months of planning and weeks of public voting the outcomes of the the second Annual Liskeard Traders Association Business Awards were revealed at a special 'Black Tie' Gala Night celebration held at the towns Public Hall on Saturday evening.

The awards focus on small local businesses in the PL14 postcode area with nominees choosing the categories they wish to contest and then having the arduous task of soliciting votes from customers, family and friends.

Their collective efforts certainly paid off with more than 1900 individual voters making their choices ahead of the closing date two weeks before the event.

A room filled with 70 local business leaders and their guests arrived at the venue, elegantly dressed in their finery for an evening of great food, music and entertainment, networking and, of course, an opportunity to get their hands on both the trophies and those all-important bragging rights.

Compere for the evening was Mike Allsopp of Liskeard and Looe Radio who were also a sponsor.

As the guests arrived there was a photo opportunity and also the chance to enjoy the talents of local close-up magician Raven before dinner was served.

As the time for presentations arrived Martin Durber took to the stage and was handed, in turn, a number of golden envelopes, each of which would contain the names of the successful nominees.

Best New Business went to Sparkly Laundry while the Best Family Business award went to HBH Woolacotts.

The Best Food and Beverage Award went to Suresh Khatri Chatri and his team at The Himalayan Spice whilst the award for Best Retail Business saw HBH Woolacotts collect their second trophy of the evening.

The Best Arts and Crafts Business Award went to Liz Trinder at The Sewing Shop with Alex Thom and his team at Thompsons Opticians retaining their crown in the Best Professional Services Category.

Best Salon Award went to Kayleighs Hair and Beauty with Josh at Taylor Electrical SW taking the glassware for Best Local Trade Business.

In the Local Favourite category Jane Louise and her team were triumphant whilst the Local Community Award, which was voted on by the nominees, went to Kate Reed, Edward Hart and the staff at Liskeard Library.

As the formal part of the Gala Night ended their was time for a fabulous return performance by the talented local vocalist Alysha Vine.

Saturday morning saw the flag-raising ceremony held at Bullers Quay to mark 50 years of Looe's twinning relationship with Quiberon.

Their respective mayors, Cllr Stephen Remington and Patrick Le Roux together with St Pinnock Band, lead a parade from The Rose Garden to the memorial where a number of flags were to be raised by the young people of Looe.

Town clerk, Sam White, welcomed those gathered before former-mayor Armand Toms announced the raising of St Pirans Flag of Cornwall to Trelawney, performed by the band and the Looe Academy Choir.

Other flags were raised by dignitaries from Quiberon while Looe Community Academy designed one of the five flags.