Nine businesses from across Dundee & Angus have recently been nominated in the British Chambers of Commerce National Business Heroes Awards. The campaign was launched earlier this year to recognise the incredible work that businesses are doing, in the most challenging of years. Each of the nominated businesses have been given a UK Business Heroes stamp which demonstrates that that they have gone the extra mile to support their local community during the Coronavirus outbreak.
Those businesses nominated from the region were
Mackie Motors who donated two electric vehicles to local charity Voluntary Action Angus enabling them to safely and comfortably deliver goods, including food and medicine to those self-isolating whilst keeping running costs and emissions low.
Wellgate Shopping Centre staff marked the bravery and dedication of key workers by handing out 250 thermal cups which have been decorated by local children with their messages of thanks. The Wellgate has also been instrumental in pulling together retailers to support with donations for local foodbanks.
Alexander’s Community Development helped thousands of local people during the COVID outbreak by pulling together local businesses and members of the public to supply and deliver food parcels, providing support to over 25 local foodbanks.
Balhousie Care Group were one of the first major employers in the region to recruit heavily supporting many people who were furloughed or out of work. They helped prepare sandwiches for homeless and vulnerable people and developed an app for their staff to remain safe whilst at work. They organized a local singer to perform – socially distanced – for residents to enjoy. Their Head Chef at one of their sites also taught cooking skills online to foster children in the region.
Hillcrest - The Hillcrest Team managed to carry out a lot of their activities during the Pandemic. They were able to source PPE for their frontline team, continued to speak with developers to keep as many as their projects on track and remained dedicated to overcoming the challenging hurdles to continue to deliver good quality affordable homes. The Hillcrest Futures’ harm reduction team delivered an outreach service in partnership with NHS harm reduction nurses. Dealing with people at high risk due to their drug and alcohol use.
Dundee Removal Services supported many other companies across the region to deliver food and supplies to the most vulnerable. Their vans and trucks were put to use to assist the local are including the delivery of vital equipment to a local hospital.
Scott Brothers Butchers knew they were going to be faced with a massive challenge when they lost the majority of their customers overnight. In a matter of day’s they were able to not only offer their online service to the local community but they had a phone service where locals who did not have any internet could order food to be delivered. This enabled local vulnerable people the ability to still get food delivered when the supermarkets were unable to take any more bookings. Along with their butcher meat they were able to supply essential items and if they didn’t have certain items they were happy to find suppliers. They also increased their ready meals selection so those who lost additional support were able to have a nutritious meal. During the recent outbreak of COVID-19 within student’s halls of residence they have delivered free of charge ready-made meal to students who do not have their own support locally.
DJCAD - During the start of lock-down the university (along with other individual volunteers) sewed reusable face coverings for NHS Tayside Staff. The same group also produced 5,000 scrubs for frontline staff.
Halley Stevenson worked with local Health bosses to produce large volumes of fabric at its Dundee-based factory in a bespoke colour called Tayside Teal. It was used to produce 4,000 pairs of scrubs. Halley Stevenson also donated a large quantity of the fabric for use by community stitchers.
Alison Henderson, DACC CEO said: “The Business Heroes recognition programme was a fantastic way for us to shine a spotlight on some of the local businesses doing really special and valuable things during the pandemic. We’re very proud of our local organisations and people who do so much to support the local community. In a year when we’ve all struggled in our own way, these heroes remind us that the resilience of people is what helps us stand out and raise our collective aspirations.”
Louise Byars, Group Head of Corporate Services at Balhousie Care Group, said: “We’re thrilled and extremely grateful to have been nominated by Dundee and Angus Chamber of Commerce for the UK Business Heroes Campaign. This award will be such a boost to our hardworking staff in a hugely challenging year for the whole Balhousie family and recognises the importance our care home teams place on developing and encouraging strong community links.”
Alexander Community Development
Alexander Community Development has developed from 20 years of work in the decorating trade, both in practise and education. The sister company of ACD, Alexander Decorators LTD has lead the way in developing skill and talent in the trade, and this work will now be built upon in ACD. Within in this live working environment, there will be programmes delivered for children and young people who are looking to gain qualifications and skills that will gain them future employment opportunities.
British Chambers of Commerce
The British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) sits at the heart of a business network that spans the length and breadth of the UK, with links to markets across the world.
Scott Brothers Butchers Ltd.
A retail and wholesale butcher employing 70 plus people throughout a manufacturing plant and 3 retail sites situated around Dundee. The business sells to a range of customers, which include retail customers through their stores and website, and a large number of hotels and restaurants within a 30 mile radius of Dundee. We have recently expanded our events catering business.
Mackie Motors
Here at Mackie Motors, we specialise in the sales, maintenance and repair of Dacia, Nissan and Renault vehicles. We are thrilled to represent three quality marques and stock an impressive range of models from our state-of-the-art dealerships in Scotland. From the all-new Nissan Qashqai, the affordable Dacia Sandero Stepway to the stunning new Renault Captur, we have a fantastic selection available.
Balhousie Care Group
Balhousie Care homes provide residents with a happy, friendly, safe and caring environment coupled with an exceedingly high level of accommodation.
University of Dundee
Nobel Prize winning poet and honorary graduate Seamus Heaney has described the University of Dundee as ‘having its head in the clouds and its feet firmly on the ground.’ The ability to be both aspirational and down-to earth and to blend ground-breaking intellectual achievement with practical applications, has given the University its distinctive character.
Wellgate
With major brand names such as B&M, Home Bargains, JD Gyms and Iceland, Wellgate offers a wide choice for the value conscious shopper, plus a choice of food outlets, including Burger King.
Hillcrest Homes
Hillcrest Housing Association was established in 1967 and is one of Scotland’s largest Housing Associations. They provide housing and support in Dundee, Edinburgh, Angus, Perthshire and Fife, with over 5500 good quality, well maintained homes at affordable rents. In each area of operation there are local offices with housing advice teams who can provide an immediate response to the customers.
Halley Stevensons (Dyers & Finishers) Ltd.
Based in Dundee, in Scotland, Halley Stevenson are specialists in the production of waxed fabrics for customers around the world. While other manufacturers in the textiles industry might lay claim to a high quality fabric, few others can match their commitment, or expertise.
DRS Moving & Storage Limited
DRS Moving & Storage Ltd trade as Dundee Removal Services & Britannia Knightpacking in Dundee & the North East of Scotland. We are a family run Company with over 50 years experience of house removals in Dundee, around Scotland and the UK, providing commercial moving services to local businesses and in particular to the public sector.
Dundee & Angus Chamber of Commerce
As the leading business membership organisation in Dundee & Angus and part of the worldwide long-established Chamber of Commerce brand, we help local businesses to connect, communicate and develop for business benefit.
