The Merseyside Independent Business Awards (MIB) have announced their nominations for 2017 and the Baltic Triangle is strongly represented.
The MIB Awards brings together independent businesses, and business leaders, from across Merseyside. The awards aim to recognise and celebrate the unique impact that independent businesses make on the region.
There are eight businesses from the Baltic Triangle who have been nominated across a number of different categories. Further proof that the Baltic Triangle is fast-becoming the natural home to some of the most exciting and innovative businesses in the Merseyside area.
To celebrate these nominations and to highlight their good work we have compiled a list of business profiles for those based in the Baltic Triangle and sourced their responses to what is a proud achievement.
Pink Media – pinkmedia.co.uk
Nomination: Nicola Pink (Director of Pink Media) – Business Person of the Year Award
As a former journalist, Nicola Pink worked for publications such as the Liverpool Echo and Daily Post before moving into public relations where she handled high profile clients such as Habitat, Whistles and Il Forno.
Pink Media is based in the heart of the Baltic Triangle and delivers a wide range of services that combine traditional tried and tested PR methods with evolving new-age digital forms.
With clients ranging from local independent firms to international corporate giants they offer services to a wide variety of established and emerging industries.
Whether you’re an established company or an exciting new start-up, building and maintaining a prominent presence within your given industry is a key component to success, and Pink Media want to help you to do the talking.
Responding to her nomination, Nicola Pink had the following to say:
“It’s certainly rewarding for both the business and myself to be up for an MIB award after what’s been a particularly busy year. We’ve expanded our team, continued to evolve our services, relocated into a larger office space to accommodate our growth and have enjoyed extending our client base both within Liverpool and across the North West.
“Baltic Triangle is fast becoming a prime business hub. It’s been Pink Media’s home for the last four years but we recently moved into bigger premises on Jordan Street and we can’t see ourselves working anywhere else.”
Construction Impact Framework – ciframework.co.uk
Nomination: The Community Impact Award
The Construction Impact Framework (CIF) is a unique OJEU (Official Journal of the European Union) compliant Framework, designed with clients, contractors and communities at its heart. The CIF is committed to real partnering relationships based on the shared objective of working together for the common good of communities.
Established just over a year ago, C.I.F supports ever changing working environments across a number of sectors including health, education and housing. The CIF provides their clients with an OJEU compliant, easy route-way to market with tailor made innovative procurement solutions.
Responding to CIF’s nomination, company director, Sara Lawton had this to say:
“To have our work recognised by peers from across Merseyside is something we are very proud of. Our business ethos of ‘giving back’ to communities means we are able to make a difference to people’s lives and help sustain organisations who help those most vulnerable in our communities.
“Working in the Baltic has been very beneficial; as a start-up business, we have been able to source advice, services whilst building valued relationships.”
Kitsune Studio – kitsune.co.uk
Nomination: Digital & Technology Business of the Year
Kitsune Studio primarily work with the leisure industry to design and make brands and websites. They pride themselves on optimising every customer’s interaction – something they believe to be especially important in today’s ‘experience economy’.
Kitsune’s strength is their simplicity – well-designed brands and websites which enables them to harvest data and analytics to better inform their clients. They aim is to combine their expertise with the experience of their clients to create bespoke and personalised design choices.
Responding to their nomination, creative director, Michael Braithwaite had this to say:
“With so much competition in the growing digital sector we’re proud to be acknowledged. There are many awards out there and the MIB awards are one of the good ones. We can’t wait to meet interesting local businesses and catch up with our Baltic neighbours.
“We were founded in the Baltic. It’s a hotbed of creative activity like no other area in Liverpool. You meet people here and genuinely get to know them. This leads to collaborations and referrals. Clients love visiting us, it’s a vibrant place and we’re always in the know of the best new coffee spots!”
Constellations – constellations-liv.com
Nomination: Employer of the Year
Constellations & The Observatory is an independently minded multi-use event space in the heart of the Baltic Triangle. The venue hosts live music, art exhibitions, weddings and everything in between.
A regenerated warehouse and bespoke outdoor garden, Constellations is unique in character but also maintains complete versatility as a blank canvas hire space. A cutting-edge destination for like-minded people to come together and experience the city’s arts, culture and music scene or to escape the city centre for a laid-back meet up with friends and family.
The space brings people together, priding itself on its diversity. From late night parties to contemporary music events, from art exhibitions & markets to conferences & seminars. By day, this is a place to enjoy fresh, fuss-free food, catch up with friends, escape the office or simply take time to soak up the sun and, as dusk falls, the space is illuminated with events, stories, music and possibilities.
Responding to their nomination, Constellations had this to say:
“With over two dozen staff members, the Constellations family is a melting pot of vibrant characters and styles from around the world. Growing side-by-side, the diversity of our team ensures that we are all continuously learning from one another. Between summertime weddings and festival events, no two days are the same for our crew, with new and exciting challenges always around the corner.
“In July, our director Becky cooked a roast dinner for over 40 staff, friends and family of the venue. It was a great close to a really fun summer and has got us all prepped for building up our winter time garden and bar!”
Black Lodge Brewery – blacklodgebrewing.co.uk
Nomination: Paul Seiffert – Business Person of the Year
Founded in late 2015, Black Lodge Brewing (BLB) is a fast moving, small batch-brewery. The project was established by brewers, bar operators and beer drinkers with a passion for beer – offering a wide selection to entice anyone from the casual supper to the ale connoisseur.
BLB believe that collaboration and creativity are essential components to what they do; creating great beers. Since launching in 2015, they have worked with a range of UK and international breweries, bars, magazines and festivals to develop new beers bespoke to their customer base. Look out for their upcoming events.
Jot Paper Co. – jotpaperco.com
Nomination: Best Creative Business
The business was started in 2015 by founders, Daniels Jennings and Becks Witterick who began operating out of a garden shed. They have since moved to the Baltic Triangle and are enjoying all of the amenities of their new location – especially the extra space from which they produce all of their paper goods.
Jot are a design & print studio specialise in hot foil and letterpress greetings cards as well as Risograph printed paper goods. They place huge emphasis on utilising traditional methods and ethically sourced materials but fundamentally it’s all about good design.
All of Jot’s cards are designed, hand-finished and assembled in the Jot Studio with materials that have been carefully sourced to ensure the best quality.
Responding to thir nomination, founding director, Becks Witterick had this to say:
“We’re delighted to be nominated for Best Creative Business, especially given the calibre of the other nominees. Jot Paper Co is a two-person, husband and wife team and we launched less than two years ago so to be nominated amongst other businesses we admire is amazing!
“Since working in the Baltic Triangle, we’ve been blown away by the support from other local businesses. There’s a real sense of community here and people are keen to help each other and collaborate. We can’t wait to meet even more people from within the Baltic and throughout this incredible city!”
igoo – www.igoo.co.uk
Nomination: Employer of the Year
igoo are a close-knit team of development, design and marketing artisans and specialise in producing highly engaging, experience-driven websites.
However, they also provide a wide array of complementary services to provide businesses with a sturdy online platform from which to conduct its online operations. We’ve been on our grind since 2004 and we know the web inside-out.
So, whether you’re a long-established successful business that’s looking for a new lease of life or are new to the market and are exploring the possibilities, igoo could be the company you have been looking for.
The company has a strong emphasis on supporting and collaborating with other local independent businesses and it is this ethos that is driving their success. However, their recent MIB nomination highlights the company’s commitment to its own staff and the value it’s places on their contributions.
Responding to their nomination, igoo had this to say:
“The whole team are absolutely delighted that igoo has been shortlisted in the ‘Employer of the Year’ category at this year’s MIB awards. Our three directors, Gav, Jack and Ben remain at the forefront of the company, helping staff to feel supported and encouraged to produce the best work possible for our clients. We couldn’t think of a better team of directors to be recognised for all of their hard work and dedication over the years.
“We’re loving being based in the Baltic Triangle, and being part of this fantastic community of innovative businesses and like-minded people. It’s allowed us to expand and grow as a company, developing existing relationships with our clients and creating new links with local businesses. The area is continuously improving and we’re excited to help shape the Baltic Triangle in the years to come.”
Baltic Triangle CIC – baltictriangl.wpenginepowered.com
Nomination: The Community Impact Award
Last but by no means least – our good selves!
The Baltic Triangle is a historic city central area, which is enjoying a steady renaissance making it one of ‘the’ places to set up shop and hang out. Just a stone’s throw from Albert Dock – the city’s World Heritage Site – and shopping hot-spot Liverpool One, the Triangle has been reclaimed and resurrected by a growing colony of creative people, entrepreneurs and their combined businesses.
Imagine an area where musicians rub shoulders with photographers, artists, fashion designers, digital agencies, architects, film-makers, young entrepreneurs, recording studios and there’s a bunch of drinking holes and eateries, nightlife venues, internationally acclaimed arts festivals and galleries to drop-by on. That’s us… Quietly, under the radar, just getting on with our stuff.
We see our role as promoting the Baltic Triangle and all the good things that are happening in the area. We also seek to support and facilitate new businesses and look to bring people together, make connections and provide opportunities for development.
Responding to our nomination, Baltic Triangle CIC director, Russell Gannon had this to say:
“We are absolutely delighted to be nominated for the Community Impact award and equally delighted for the other Baltic Triangle nominees.
“This is a really exciting time for the Baltic triangle as it continues to grow and to attract an array of innovative talent. The future certainly looks bright and we look forward to facilitating and promoting its development.”
The ceremony takes place on Thursday, October 12th 2017 at The Rum Warehouse, Titanic Hotel, Liverpool.
