Dagenham Travel which ‘somehow came through Covid’ wins business award

A Dagenham travel agent was the big winner of the night as businesses were celebrated at an awards bash.

A number of accolades were handed out on Thursday (June 29) at the Barking and Dagenham Chamber of Commerce Business Awards 2023, of which the Post is a sponsor.

Dagenham Travel took the night’s main prize, business of the year, beating off competition from the other award winners.

The PartyBox won the award for innovation through the use of digital media (Image: Sandra Rowse)

Farley Shelkin has run the business for 40 years.

He told the audience at Dagenham & Redbridge FC: “When Covid hit…my business struggled very badly.

“We had a very bad two years and we somehow came through it.

“I’m very pleased we are still standing and very honoured to receive this.”

Steve Thompson MBE, managing director of Dagenham & Redbridge FC and Paul Cunningham, Fix Auto Dagenham (Image: Sandra Rowse)

When asked by the Post how it managed to keep going, Farley said “determination and government help”.

Dagenham Travel also won the customer service award, one of a number of categories being announced on the night.

Another winner was The Baby Bank HQ, a not for profit group which supports families in Barking and Dagenham, Havering and Redbridge with basic essentials such as toiletries and clothes.

Kelly Rosevear from The Baby Bank HQ (left) told the audience: It does not cost anything to be kind (Image: Sandra Rowse)

It won the business located outside Barking and Dagenham but which trades in Barking and Dagenham award.

Co-founder Kelly Rosevear said: “The reason we do it is because we really care for our community.

Michael Cox (right) from the Post presents the home grown talent award to Study Buddies Tuition Centre (Image: Sandra Rowse)

“We support around 40 families each week. It does not cost anything to be kind.”

The evening ended with emotional scenes as a new award was handed out in honour of Sominder Panesar, who ran Prontaprint in Barking and Stratford, after he died last August.

John Collings was presented with the inaugural Sominder Panesar award (Image: Sandra Rowse)

His family were given a standing ovation as they presented the accolade to John Collings, who “recently retired” from Online Lubricants Ltd.

John said: “We know what it is like to be a family in business. This (award) means so much.”

Marcus Dixon shows his delight at winning the employee of the year accolade (Image: Sandra Rowse)

The Post‘s digital audience and content editor Michael Cox presented the home grown talent award to Study Buddies Tuition Centre.

“Local businesses are at the heart of the community and it was wonderful to support the awards and celebrate their successes once again,” Michael added.

Dr Ravi Kumar, London School of Management Education, with the Coronation accolade (Image: Sandra Rowse)

Full list of award winners

Business of the year: Dagenham Travel

The Sominder Panesar award: John Collings – Online Lubricants Ltd

The Coronation award: London School of Management Education

Business person of the year: Donna Pike – The PartyBox

Business located outside Barking and Dagenham which is trading in Barking and Dagenham: The Baby Bank HQ

Green business: Fix Auto Dagenham

Home grown talent: Study Buddies Tuition Centre

Employee of the year: Marcus Dixon – Urban Promise

Innovation through the use of digital media: The PartyBox

Customer service: Dagenham Travel

Training, development and supporting education: Fix Auto Dagenham

Business growth: Online Lubricants Ltd

Sole trader/micro business of the year: Kromanti distillery and blending house

Floglass Ltd was highly commended by the judges (Image: Sandra Rowse)

Judges awards: Highly commended – Floglass Ltd; one to watch – The Brandy Distillery Ltd; one to watch outside Barking and Dagenham – LifeForce Security Ltd