BBR Optometry is delighted to have been named Employer of the Year at the inaugural Hereford BID Business Awards.
Hereford’s only independent optometry practice was announced as the winner during a glittering ceremony held at Hereford’s Shire Hall, and wishes to congratulate their fellow finalists School Uniform Shop and Specsavers on being worthy runners-up.
Nick Rumney, chairman of BBR Optometry, said: “As someone who has been based in Herefordshire for more than 25 years, I am a great supporter of the county as a great place in which to live and work.
“The awards ceremony was a fantastic evening attended by some of the county’s best businesses and to be named winners in the Employer of the Year category really was the icing on the cake.
“As a practice we have received many national awards over the years but I am particularly thrilled to have won this local award which shows recognition from our fellow businesses of the important role we play in the county.
“I would, however, like to dedicate this award to all members of staff at the practice for the important role they have in ensuring we deliver our core objectives to provide the best possible outcomes for our valued patients on a daily basis.
“This approach is evidenced by the fact we are one of only 128 companies in the county of Herefordshire to have achieved the Investors in People Gold Standard for 2017 following a comprehensive assessment.
“The awards team were looking for businesses that offered their staff a stimulating and supportive environment and real commitment to the welfare of employees, resulting in high staff satisfaction levels and a well-motivated, ambitious and integrated workforce.
“There are so many examples of how we have supported staff but a few of particular note are Laura Reece being named Young UK Contact Lens Practitioner of the Year by the British Contact Lens Association (BCLA) as well as Jessica MacIsaac being encouraged to launch a new Tear Clinic which treats the growing problem of ocular surface disease and is already proving extremely popular with patients.
“Business Improvement Districts (BID) are a tried and trusted way of delivering positive development of city centres and we were delighted to support the group’s aims of improving the city for shoppers.
“These awards were a fantastic way to celebrate the city’s many successful businesses and I would like to congratulate all the other very worthy winners as well as encourage people to enter the 2018 awards and help contribute to this wonderful celebration of Hereford’s unique retail offering,” he added.
BBR Optometry was also named runner-up in the category for Independent Business of the Year which was won by The Kup-cake Kitchen Café and BBR Optometry wishes to congratulate them on this success.
Winners in the other seven categories were:
- Hotel, Restaurant, Pub or Café of the Year: The Beefy Boys
- The Best Presented Award: Pritchards Menswear
- Putting Hereford On The Map: Hereford Indie Food
- Customer Service Award: Elle Martin Hair Salon
- Employee of the Year: Lucy Shepherd-Davies from Specsavers
- National Retailer of the Year: Wilko Retail Ltd
- Outstanding Contribution to the City: Hereford Cathedral
- The Special Recognition Award: Hayley Llewellyn from No 10 deli in Church Street
You can also watch this video about the Independent Business of the Year finalists, including BBR Optometry.
Pictured, from left, are Hannah Biddle (clinical assistant), Alison Edwards (optometrist), Nick Rumney (BBR chairman) and Suzanne Wadsworth (BBR director) receiving the Employer of the Year award from Dhillon Arpinder of sponsors Harrison Clark Rickersby Solicitors.