Waterford LEO celebrates Glas award winners

Local Enterprise Office, Waterford has acknowledged this year's Glas Award winners, Blossom and Berry, and The Hat Maker.

The awards, in association with Waterford City and County Council, recognise and celebrate the micro businesses in County Waterford that have made significant advances in bringing green principles into their business models. 

The Green Micro Enterprise of the Year, open to all with employees of 10 or less was won by Blossom and Berry which impressed the judges with its, “commitment to mitigating climate change by integrating green principles in every aspect of its operations.” Nestled in the picturesque town of Lismore, County Waterford, Blossom & Berry is a sustainable florist.

The Green SME of the Year, open to those with between 11 and 50 employees, was won by The Hat Maker. This new hotel in Dungarvan is a refurbishment of an existing protected structure. It achieved an A2 rating, ensuring sustainable reuse of this historic building in the town centre.

Speaking at the prize giving ceremony Waterford City and County Mayor, Councillor Seamus Ryan said: “These awards are another opportunity to reward businesses for their climate actions. I’d like to congratulate both businesses in what is a thoroughly deserved accolade."

“The Glas awards and the actions of the winners mark another step towards Waterford’s green targets," said Cllr Ryan.

"The link between the Council and business in Waterford has never been more important," he added.

A spokesperson for LEO Waterford said Blossom & Berry is actively working to reduce its carbon intensity and move closer to carbon neutrality. The sustainability efforts include reducing its carbon footprint through energy conservation via LED alternatives, water conservation and solar power. 

Owner of the business, Claudia O’Neill said: “The sustainability initiatives we’ve implemented have created profoundly positive impacts on both our business operations and brand identity.” 

Meanwhile, David Burke and his team at The Hat Maker brought a dilapidated building back in to use in Dungarvan town centre. The 16, elegantly appointed rooms offer an intimate and exclusive experience. Repurposing, repairing and refurbishing, every element of the creation and running of the hotel has a sustainable ethos. 

“As well as being the right thing to do, it reduces costs significantly when fully committed to and done properly," said David. 

"It also acts as a marketing tool for our business as it is important to the consumer segment we target.”

 Each winner received a cash prize of €2,500 and a Glas trophy, designed and created by Brendan O’Donnell. The awards were made from reclaimed and recycled materials. Solid oak is from cabinet drawers, while the plastic was a mix of milk bottles, lids from drinks containers from a cafe and hygiene product drums from a dairy farm.

Head of Enterprise at the Local Enterprise Office Waterford, Gareth Evans was delighted with the quality of entries for the awards.

“The LEO wants to show other businesses that investment in this area is not only the right thing to do, but the smart thing too," he said.

"Every entry to these awards will tell you that they have reaped the benefits of their investment.

“LEO Waterford has numerous supports available to help businesses with their sustainable journey. The Green for Business Programme is a two day consultancy programme that provides a Green Consultant to work with a business, helping to identify the steps they can take in being more sustainable. The business will then be issued with a Green for Business report and most importantly, all costs are covered by the Local Enterprise Office."

Following that, if the business is considering making changes they may avail of LEO Waterford's Energy Efficiency Grant which offers 75% of eligible costs to a maximum of €10,000 towards the upgrades.

For further information on the Glas and other Local Enterprise Office Awards, go to www.localenterprise.ie/Waterford, or contact LEO Waterford at 051 849905 or email info@leo.waterfordcouncil.ie