STAFF from Chequers Contract Services pride themselves on keeping offices, schools and other buildings spick and span but today (Friday) they are also celebrating cleaning up in the Croydon Business Awards.
The company, based in Tait Road, walked away with three prizes – business of the year, best business for training and development, and best business for apprenticeships and employment of young people.
The winners of the 12 awards, organised by Prospects Services were announced at a gala dinner held at Fairfield Halls in Park Lane, Croydon last night.
Other categories included best small business and best business for hospitality, leisure, travel and tourism, both of which were picked up by J'amies Gymnastics Academy which runs classes in Shirley.
There was also another prize for regular awards winners SLE, based in Selsdon Road, South Croydon.
This year the company, which manufactures life-saving neo-natal ventilators, has been named best business for international trade.
This repeats its success in 2012, when it was also named business of the year.
Last year it was best medium-sized business.
Rose Saunders, head of Prospects Business Support, said: "The calibre of entries into the Croydon Business Awards was extremely high this year.
"A total of 43 organisations were shortlisted from nearly 100 entries."
She added: "All winners truly deserved to be crowned as the finest in their category."
She described the gala dinner and award ceremony as "an exciting evening and a great celebration, providing companies with a platform to network and raise their profile."
Chequers' commitment to creating jobs and training has been demonstrated by its continued support for apprenticeships.
Six new apprentices were taken on at the beginning of this year.
It also launched its own training academy at its headquarters last October, adapting part of the building to create a kitchen, bathroom and office suite which are used as models to help staff learn the correct cleaning techniques.
The academy is open to Chequers' 500 staff with the aim of getting them licensed with the British Institute of Cleansing Services, a qualification which can boost future job prospects.
Chequers, founded in 1987, remains a family firm run by brothers Gary and Paul Jeal and their sister, Kate Ward.
THE WINNERSBusiness of the year, best business for training and development and best business for apprenticeships and employment for young people: Chequers Contract Services, Tait Road, CroydonBest small business and best hospitality, leisure, tourism and travel business: J'amies Gymnastics Academy, ShirleyBest medium-sized business: Cleankill Environmental Services, Lower Road, KenleyBest business for customer service: ICUK Computing Services, Ltd, Pampisford Road, South CroydonFederation of Small Businesses' entrepreneur of the year: Arnold & Baldwin Chartered Surveyors, Southbridge Place, South CroydonCommitment to the community: PJ's Community Services, Parchmore Road, Thornton HeathBest green business: Southern Railway, Addiscombe Road, CroydonBest business for international trade: SLE Ltd, Selsdon Road, South CroydonBest new business: Feast Express Ltd, Purley Way, Croydon
