Back then, Retail Fire entered the Start-up of the year, but narrowly missed out on the coveted award, but in the interim, it has been hiring, not firing, throughout the pandemic.
The company, which provides fire alarms, extinguishers, emergency lighting, sprinklers and risk assessments to retailers, schools and businesses, now has engineers covering the entire UK and Republic of Ireland – and has also increased its office-based staff from four to six, all from the local area.
Based at Salomons Estate, where the Times Business Awards 2022 will take place in March, the team at Retail Fire are now entering the Best Business 1-25 Employees category.
Business development manager Gail Hayes told the Times: “The reason we joined in the awards again this year is that we feel that we support all these national clients but don’t have that much of a profile with local clients and we know we could help them with their fire protection needs too.
“Although we have a lot of retail customers, it’s not just retail clients we serve. Another sector is chemists, for example. We also do charity shops and provide services to Hospice in the Weald.”
While some companies were having to furlough staff during the pandemic, as an essential service, Retail Fire found they are much in demand.
Since the 2019 Business awards, not only has the business increased its staffing levels but also its turnover.
“Everybody needs fire protection, whether they are open or closed,” added Ms Hayes, saying the firm has seen its annual turnover increase by 80 per cent, and the firm is expected to be on target for £1.1million in what is now just its fourth year.
Early entries will be profiled
If you have not entered the Times Business Awards yet, it is not too late – the deadline of this year’s’ shortlist is not until February 14 – but if you get your entry in early, you might even find your business profiled in the Times.
If you are yet to apply, register your interest and choose your category please go to timesbusinessawards.co.uk or email info@timesbusinessawards.co.uk
Every year sees more and more organisations put themselves forward for the first time, but past winners and entrants are just as welcome.
If you have entered the awards before, you can still re-enter this year and it’s completely FREE.
