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Three Rural Companies Get The Big Tick -The Post Office®/Business In The Community Rural Action Award
Three Rural Companies Get The Big Tick -The Post Office®/Business In The Community Rural Action Award
Published 06-10-04
Submitted by Business in the Community
The BIG TICK is awarded to companies that are able to demonstrate a high standard of excellence in the way they organise and integrate their responsible business practices, and can show a positive impact both on society and on the business.
The companies recognised:
Through saving a threatened village shop from closure, rural entrepreneur, Christine Hope has made sure that the village is on the tourist route and is supporting the local community by providing an outlet for local producers and offering Post Office® products and services.
Started less than 4 years ago with a grant of £250, Orton Farmers Ltd. now runs two well established reputable farmers markets. These markets have provided opportunities for local producers, attracted visitors and brought a vibrancy to help revive the remote village.
Formerly a dilapidated estate, Trelowarren was turned around in 1995 to make timeshare opportunities available for tourists, which has created local employment and business opportunities as well as alleviating the seasonal slump in population and services in the area by ensuring a year-round influx of visitors.
Graham Russell, National Rural Director of Business in the Community commented: "The positive future for rural areas to a significant degree depends upon the positive impact of business. It is greatly encouraging that this year our three Big Ticks have been awarded to small to medium-sized enterprises, showing the vital, innovative work being done to benefit the local community. Responsible business also means good business."
David Mills, Chief Executive, Post Office Ltd, added:
"Congratulations to all the winners. Small businesses, including Post Office® branches, are at the heart of the UK's rural sector and make a significant contribution to the overall wellbeing of these communities. These winners have displayed determination and innovation that is helping their local communities thrive."
All three BIG TICK companies will be awarded in regional events and will form the shortlist for the Post Office® Rural Action Award, part of Business in the Community's Awards for Excellence.
Business in the Community's Awards for Excellence are recognised as the leading awards in the field of corporate responsibility. They reward and celebrate the positive economic, social and environmental impact of business on society through community programmes and business practices. Business-led and rigorously assessed, the awards recognise best practice and focus on impact and evidence of results. The overall winners will be announced at a Gala Dinner at the Royal Albert Hall on 6 July 2004, hosted by Carillion plc, Company of the Year, 2003.
Media Enquiries
Vanessa Strauss Business in the Community on 0207 566 8762
Post Office Press Office: 020 7250 2468
Notes for Editors
Business in the Community is a unique movement in the UK of over 700 member companies, with a further 1600 participating in our programmes and campaigns. Our purpose is to inspire, challenge, engage and support business in continually improving its positive impact on society. Membership of Business in the Community is a commitment to action and to the continual improvement of a company's impact on society. Our members commit to:
Together, our member companies employ over 15.7 million people in over 200 countries worldwide. In the UK, our members employ over 1 in 5 of the private sector workforce. Further information about Business in the Community can be found at the website www.bitc.org.uk.
With some16,000 branches across the UK, the Post Office® is at the heart of rural and urban communities with 94% of the population living within a mile of a Post Office® branch. The Post Office® offers 170 products and services, from banking and financial services products, travel insurance, foreign currency exchange, mobile phone e-top ups and vouchers, phonecards, licence applications, lottery products, postal orders as well as stamps and mailing services.
Post Office website address,
www.postoffice.co.uk.
