News: Props for Tom as he's named Rotherham Young Entrepreneur of the Year 2012

Tom Jones, owner of Props Skate Store in Rotherham town centre, has been named as the Rotherham Young Entrepreneur of the Year 2012.

Rotherham Youth Enterprise (RYE), in association with UK Steel Enterprise, ran the awards for the seventh year running with the aim of celebrating and promoting the best businesses run by young people in the borough.

The entrepreneurs aged between 18 and 30, each received a cash prize and will benefit from publicity for their business. Each finalist will be featured on Rothbiz over the coming weeks.

The awards ceremony took place at Rotherham United's New York Stadium yesterday where the category winners, runners-up and overall winner were all announced.

Jackie Frost, project manager for Rotherham Youth Enterprise thanked the entrants and the sponsors. She said: "Our judges have been impressed with the vision, commitment and personal courage shown by all the entrants to these awards. All these qualities are required to successfully start up and run businesses in the present economy, but once again we have had a very high calibre of entries which has made the judges task extremely difficult."

Lucy Bennett of independent womenswear fashion label, Roc and Doll was named as the winner in the Best Established Business category, sponsored by Parkgate Shopping. Gavin Edley of specialist tea supplier, Vitalife was the runner-up.

In the Best New Start-up category, sponsored by RYE, Tom Jones of Props Skate store was the winner with Chris Foulstone of Impelling Web Design named as the runner up.

Gavin Edley impressed the judges with his innovative products to win the Most Innovative Business, sponsored by AESSEAL. Runner-up was Laura Bullock of Bitter Sweet Boutique in Rotherham town centre.

In the Business Most Determined to Succeed category, sponsored by Rotherham College of Arts & Technology, the winner was named as Chris Foulstone of Impelling Web Design and Adam Tinsley of unique racing simulator provider, F1 Showcars.

The sponsors also came together as judges and Alan Wood of UK Steel Enterprise stated that the standard of entries was the highest that he had ever seen.

Alan announced that Tom Jones of Props Skate Store was the overall winner, picking up a special trophy and a cheque for £1,000. He also received an iPad from Barnsley & Rotherham Chamber.

Tom's shocked reaction was summed up by his catchphrase - "Awesome!"

Rotherham Youth Enterprise provides self-employment support and advice for young adults in the area. Office and workshop provision is also available across the borough.

Props website

Rotherham Youth Enterprise website

Images: propsskatestore.co.uk

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News: Fashion Rocks for Roc and Doll

Rotherham fashion designer and entrepreneur, Lucy Bennett has won the chance to see her designs stocked alongside the likes of McCartney and McQueen in contemporary designer store, Fashion Rocks.

Lucy won Meadowhall Shopping Centre's "In New Designer's We Trust" event, where four up and coming Yorkshire designers were given the opportunity to work with some of the biggest names in the industry and sell their collections in the region's largest shopping centre.

Lucy will be working with Fashion Rocks to launch a Spring / Summer 2012 collection from her label Roc and Doll as a concession in the Meadowhall branch of the Fashion Rocks store early next year.

She said: "I am so thrilled to have been chosen as the winner of Meadowhall's New Designers Competition. If you had have told me earlier this year that my Spring / Summer 2012 collection would be selling alongside Vivienne Westwood and Alexander McQueen, I wouldn't have believed you!

"I can't tell you how grateful I am to Meadowhall for this opportunity – I launched my label Roc and Doll almost seven years go now and have had great success with it, but to be given a big break like this is priceless!"

As part of the initiative the designers were given exclusive access to an experienced panel of mentors to guide them through the competition.

Martin Lacey, buying director at Fashion Rocks and judge for the competition, said: "I have been impressed by the high calibre of talent and creativity shown by each of the designers in this competition.

"We are proud to be supporting talented new designers in Yorkshire, particularly as Meadowhall Shopping Centre is where we opened the nation's first Fashion Rocks store. We're really looking forward to working with Lucy."

Now based in Leeds, Roc and Doll was established in Rotherham after Lucy returned from studying at university. The brand and the business grew with help, support and rent-free premises through Rotherham Youth Enterprise and The Prince's Trust.

Roc and Doll website

Images: Meadowhall

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