PR and marketing

 Clarence St Cyclery has been named Business of the Year and Grasshopper has taken out honours for Best Small Business of the Year in the City of Sydney’s 2010 Business Awards.

The winners were chosen by an independent panel including leading business professionals from ANZ, TAFE NSW and UNSW’s Centre for Innovation and Entrepreneurship.  Winners were announced at a gala event hosted by David Koch at The Westin, Sydney overnight.

Clarence St Cyclery also picked up the Bicycle Business Award and Grasshopper Bar in Temperance Lane, Sydney also won the inaugural Small Bar Award.

Lord Mayor Clover Moore MP said every business in this year’s awards should feel proud of themselves, as they play a pivotal role in making Sydney the economic powerhouse that our great city is today.

“I’d like to congratulate all 21 winners of the 2010 City of Sydney Business Awards and make a special mention of Grasshopper and Clarence St Cyclery. These two new businesses are doing exceptionally well considering our tough economic climate over the past 12 months. They have taken advantage of their strengths and now offer Sydneysiders vibrant and diverse places in Sydney,” said Ms Moore.

“These awards are one way in which the City recognises and celebrates the contribution small businesses make to City life and it’s exciting to see the strong growth and the sheer range of the sectors reflected in the awards,” said Ms Moore.

The Judges recognised popular small bar Grasshopper which opened less than a year ago with help from the City’s matched cash grants program, as an exciting addition to Sydney’s booming small bar culture.  Grasshopper is run by Martin O’Sullivan who also heads up Sydney’s Small Bar Association. 

Judges praised the great range of products, helpful advice, initiatives like a dedicated women’s bike store and commitment to sustainable transport at Clarence St Cyclery.  The Cyclery is a family run business which has been operating since 1975. 

The Lord Mayor’s Sustainability Award went to Sydney’s Sustainable Markets Inc. for their exceptional sustainable business practices and promotion of sustainable food to Sydneysiders.

“82 per cent of businesses within the City of Sydney are small and medium businesses – there are more than 16,000 of them employing almost 88,000 workers and almost $17 billion to the City’s economy each year.  These Business Awards allow us to show our appreciation and commitment to supporting them,” said Ms Moore.

“By 2030, we want Sydney to have a web of vibrant communities and economies across the Local Government Area. These villages will provide local shopping, fresh food, entertainment and specialty shops and services within walking distance of most residents.”

Votes for 2010 City of Sydney Business Award winners were cast online or via SMS, with the top six businesses in each category named as finalists. 

The Awards were produced with the support of ANZ, the Principal Sponsor, major sponsors EnergyAustralia, Defence Reserves Support and YellowPages, and sponsors, Amex, Hayes Knight, TAFE NSW Sydney Institute, NSW Department of Industry and Investment, and Central Magazine.

More than 520 businesses were nominated in this year’s Awards, with more than 41,500 votes received in just three months.

2010 City of Sydney Business Awards: WINNERS

Business of the Year presented by ANZ:  Clarence St Cyclery
Small Business of the Year presented by American Express:  Grasshopper
Lord Mayor’s Sustainability Award presented by EnergyAustralia:  Sydney Sustainable Markets Inc

Healthcare & Fitness:  All Sorts Fitness and Wellbeing Centre 
Marketing & Communications: RANDEM Group 
Professional, Business & Financial Services: Armstrong Legal 
Pubs, Hotels, Nightclubs & Venues: Bowlers' Club at 99onyork 
Bicycle Business: Clarence St Cyclery 
Community & Social Services: National Breast Cancer Foundation 
Information & Communication Technology: Sqware Peg Pty Ltd 
Cultural & Creative Services: Gondwana Choirs 
Small Bars: Grasshopper 
Environmental Business: Reverse Garbage 
Specialty Retail & Wholesale: The Little Candle Shop 
Cafes (casual dining): two black sheep 
Takeaway Food & Catering Services: misschu 
Retail Beauty: Stevie English Hair 
Education & Training: Bambini's Childcare Centres 
Tourism & Accommodation: Bonza Bike Tours 
Fair Trade: Cocolo Chocolate 
Restaurants: Mulligan's Restaurant 
Food & Beverage Retail: Organic Food and Farmers Markets 
Household & General Retail: St James Pharmacy 
Retail Fashion: TOWANDA

Radiance Healthcare Centre

Household and General Retail
Bang! Art + Gift
iArt Direct
Parkview Constructions Pty Ltd
planet
Priceworth Furniture
St James Pharmacy

Lucky You Found Me

Pubs, Hotels, Nightclubs & Venues
Bowlers Club at 99onyork
Cargo Bar
Mr B's Hotel
NSW Leagues' Club
The Australian Heritage Hotel 
Wynyard Hotel

Eligible businesses include those employing less than 200 full-time employees within the City of Sydney Local Government Area. More than 600 businesses were nominated in 2009 attracting more than 35,000 votes. 

The winner of the 2009 Takeaway Food & Catering Services Award, Fresh Catering’s Director Peter McCloskey said: “The Awards gave us an opportunity to profile our business in front of a whole new market.”