A ‘luxury boutique hotel’ with a difference was recognised for its innovation this week at the inaugural Outset Cornwall Awards.
The Meadow Cat Hotel is a high-end cattery boasting “hotel-style services” for its feline guests and was rewarded with the Lightbulb Award at a ceremony held at the Headland Hotel in Newquay this week.
Owner Gemma Machin said: “It was such a privilege to win an award and be recognised for my hard work and what I’ve achieved. I wouldn’t be where I am today without the fabulous support from the Outset Cornwall team and really appreciate all they have done for me.”
The awards were designed to recognise the achievements of the 470 new businesses supported by the Outset Cornwall service since it launched in 2009.
Matt Giles, interim programme director for Outset Cornwall, said: “This was a celebration of the people at the heart of these businesses and how hard they’ve worked to get where they are. For us, that’s what it was all about – not a celebration of turnover, profits or other numerical measures of success, but rather our clients’ personal achievements and triumphs.
“As a result, and with Outset Cornwall’s support, these people have now developed robust and sustainable businesses, where they regularly and successfully collaborate with other businesses, employ and invest in staff and make an on-going positive contribution to the Cornish economy and society.”
Deciding the winners of the eight categories was not an easy task for a panel of judges which included Unlocking Potential executive director, Mark Smith; Business Cornwall magazine publisher, Toni Eyriey; and Mel Colton-Dyer, business connections manager at Cornwall Chamber of Commerce.
Smith said: “Some of the categories were extremely tough to judge, and very hotly contested! It was an honour to be invited to be part of the panel and see some of the inspirational individuals and businesses that have benefited from Outset Cornwall’s tremendous support.”
Outset Cornwall Awards 2014 Winners
- Lightbulb Award – Gemma Machin, Meadow Cat Hotel
- People Power Award – Tony Sampson, Cornwall Solar Panels
- Against All Odds Award – Phillip McPherson, P D McPherson Maintenance Services
- New Horizons Award – Sabine Konder, Three Chefs at Bude
- Collaborators Award – Maria McEwen & Rachel Martin, Pop up Penzance
- Socially Focused Award – Maria McEwen & Rachel Martin, Pop up Penzance
- Ultimate Survivor Award – Peter Fox, Redwing Contemporary Art
- Rising Star Award – Josh Davidson, SnakeSkin Studios
