05 Mar Have a cultural or creative business in Southwark?
Southwark’s vast and exciting range of cultural and creative organisations deserve recognition for their contribution to the life and the economy of the borough.
Whether its large and famous institutions like The Old Vic Theatre, or newer initiatives like the Peckham Levels galleries, these businesses not only enrich the lives of the community, they also provide employment for many local people. The new Southwark Business Excellence Awards aim to celebrate and reward these businesses by inviting entries to a dedicated category, The Southwark Cultural Commitment Award.
Sponsored by British Land, the category is free to apply and open to every cultural or creative business based in the borough, big and small. In Southwark that includes everything from art galleries and music and performance spaces, to theatre companies and orchestras, as well as art, ballet and drama schools, to design businesses and print works – any business, in fact, that has art and culture at its heart.
As a major UK property investor, category sponsor British Land are aware of the many benefits to communities of a rich cultural life and is urging arts and creative businesses across Southwark to enter the award. The FTSE 100-listed real estate investment trust is working in partnership with Southwark Council to develop plans for a new urban centre at Canada Water known as the Canada Water Masterplan. The Masterplan will deliver up to 3,500 new homes, two million sq. ft. of workspace and around one million sq. ft. of retail, leisure, entertainment and community space set in a network of streets and spaces connected to the wider area. The plans, due to be submitted this spring, seek to reflect and build upon the culture and heritage of the area.
Emma Cariaga (pictured above), Head of Operations for Canada Water for British Land, said: “We are committed to working with the community to deliver a range of long-term benefits for those who live in, work in and visit the area.
“Canada Water is a unique place, so culture and heritage has been embedded in the Masterplan from the start. We’re developing a cultural strategy which aims to respond to people, local residents, businesses and place, which acknowledges communities’ histories and traditions while exploring new and surprising opportunities. It will also cover the spectrum of the creative ways we live, whether through ideas, art, entertainment or heritage.”
The closing date for award entries to the Southwark Business Excellence Awards is Friday, 29th March.
Backed by Headline Partner, Lewisham Southwark College, and Awards Partners, Southwark Chamber of Commerce, Southwark Council, and White Label Creative, the awards are sponsored by British Land, Grosvenor, UAL London College of Communications, and Sellar. The programme is supported by Shangri-La Hotel, Jensen’s Gin and Media Partner, Southwark News.
The highlight of the six-month awards programme will be the glittering, black-tie Gala Dinner and Charity Ball awards ceremony for 400 people on 21st June, hosted by a celebrity compere.
*British Land is working in partnership with Southwark Council to bring forward a major new urban centre at Canada Water. The Canada Water Masterplan covers a 46 acre site incorporating Surrey Quays Shopping and Leisure, the SE16 Printworks, and the historic Dock Offices. British Land also recently exchanged contracts on the former Rotherhithe Police Station which will be incorporated into the Masterplan. A key ambition of the project is to create a new economic centre for Southwark, home to a range of employment opportunities, businesses and workspaces. The scheme is expected to create up to 20,000 jobs once complete and generate an average of 1,200 roles in construction each month. For more information, visit www.canadawatermasterplan.com
The Southwark Business Excellence Awards 2018 – Categories:
1. Business of the Year
2. Entrepreneur of the Year
3. The SME Excellence Award
4. Best Business for Customer Service
5. Independent Retailer of the Year
6. Business Commitment to Education and Skills
7. Best Employer
8. Best New Start-Up
9. Best Business for Hospitality and Food Excellence
10. The Award for Excellence in Leisure and Tourism
11. The Southwark Cultural Commitment Award
12. Best Charity or Social Enterprise
13. Best Business for Tech and Innovation
14. Award for Diversity and Inclusion
15. Commitment to the Community
16. Best Woman in Business
Interested in sponsoring or supporting the awards? Please contact: Joanne Horton at jhorton@wlcreative.org.uk or call 0208 726 7968