Mayor hails Lewisham firms on night of celebration for borough

By Lottie Kilraine
lottie@slpmedia.co.uk

The stars of Lewisham’s business world hailed each other at a special awards ceremony on Wednesday.

A total of 25 firms, all nominated as the borough’s best, vied to take the title in six categories.

Lewisham mayor Damien Egan said: “The sheer number of nominations is a reflection on diversity of our businesses – and the way they have adapted during lockdown.

“Our businesses are our crown jewels – and we hope all residents will support them.

“We do not have the chain stores which make up the high streets in so much of the capital.

“But we do have the highest number of small independent firms and of black, Asian and minority-owned businesses compared to any other area in the country. You’re all winners.”

The Community Space category was won by the Hill Station Cafe, in Kitto Road, Brockley, which creates jobs for disabled people as well as activities for the elderly.

Director Jacqui Shimidzu said: “It was a bit of a surprise to win but it makes it all worthwhile.

We are so embedded in the community – we employ autistic people and help start-ups. Maybe that is why we won.”

The Youth Enterprise category winner was JTS Youth, run by Joshua Brown Smith, of Bromley Road, Downham – aged just 15 and a pupil of Bonus Pastor Catholic College in Winlaton Road, Bromley.

He said: “It has taken a lot of work. I do want to commend all the finalists tonight. Perhaps what makes us stand out is because we strive for young people in the borough.

“Because of my experience of racism as a person of colour, I’m using my own experience to turn my pain into power – my misfortune into something to help myself and young people in the community.”

His mum, Milli, added: “He’s always been a bundle of energy. I think he’s only just started.”

The Night-Time Economy category was won by Buster Mantis, a Jamaican rum cocktail bar named after the first Prime Minister of independent Jamaica, Sir Alexander Bustamante.

Gordon McGowan, joint owner with his parents Donovan and Janet, said: “It was a very strong competition and some really good people. I’ve lived here most of my life and I understand what makes the place special.

There isn’t really any other business quite like it around here so maybe that is our secret.”

The Social Value category was won by Circle Collective, which has kick-started 550 young South Londoners’ careers since it was created.

Owner Matthew Lewendon said: “We are a charity and social enterprise that’s working with young people to support them into jobs.

Our staff live locally and we hope that what we do makes us special.”

The Growth Builder category was won by Beckenham Place Mansion, which specialises in offering openings for talented creators along the same model as the Bussey Building and Copeland Park in Peckham, which are run by the same company.

Head of business development, Tim Wilson, said: “I was so stunned to win it. I don’t really know why we were chosen. There were great contenders in our category.

“Perhaps it was because we did what we said we would do – make a space for multiple businesses including designers, artists and a market – where everyone is an individual with their own identity.

“We are the micro of micro businesses. It is about using old buildings for new purposes.

Environmentally it’s a good idea – there is no need to knock them down.”

The first award of the night went to Therapy4Healing, based in Stanstead Road, in the innovation resilience category.

Therapy4Healing (T4H) Co-founder Karen Burke said: “We were hopeful but each category had such great businesses it must have been a tough decision.

“We are delighted to have won the award and believe that due to our quick thinking and pivoting throughout the 2020 lock down we were able to innovate and stay resilient despite tough times.

“Along with our amazing team, services and personal testimonials of how we helped people during the lock down, I think that is why we won the award.”

Cllr Kim Powell is cabinet member for business in the borough, which has given out 40,000 Covid support grants totalling £76m.

She said: “You are all fantastic – you make Lewisham what it is today.

“We would also like to thank Stephen Carrick- Davies, who dedicated time – but also big part of himself – to make this evening and businesses work.”