A popular family-run business in Tamworth is starting its 25th year by being shortlisted for a major new Chamber of Commerce award.
Roasters of Tamworth is one of just three businesses vying for the new ‘Tamworth Business of the Year’ title in the inaugural Sutton Coldfield, Lichfield and Tamworth New Year Awards organised by the Greater Birmingham Chamber of Commerce.
The organisation received a ‘great number of high calibre applications’ so coming up with the shortlist of just three businesses in each geographical area proved a very difficult task.
The awards have been set up to showcase and recognise the great businesses that Tamworth, Lichfield and Sutton Coldfield have to offer. Winners will be revealed at a sell-out awards ceremony and dinner at The Belfry Hotel & Resort on Thursday, January 26, which will bring together more than 250 business people.
The business was originally set up 33 years ago by founders Angie and John Panton with a town centre store operating as the fondly-remembered John’s Bargains, before they converted it into a restaurant in 1992.
Now the company is managed by their daughters Samantha Panton and Traci Garwood, who run the town centre restaurant, plus a second restaurant based on the edge-of-town Ventura Retail Park. At the time of opening six years ago, Roasters Ventura was thought to be the only independent business situated on a retail park in the country.
The company now employs 35 local people and has hugely expanded its offering to include private catering, corporate and hospitality catering for some large multinational businesses, gyms and schools, venue hire and the recent supply of vending machines stocked with Roasters handmade fresh food.
Although Roasters has won several awards in the past, winning a Chamber of Commerce title as the company starts its 25th anniversary year would be a significant achievement.
Samantha said: “This is a brilliant way to start our 25th year in business as Roasters and it recognises all the effort we have put into growing and adapting the company to ensure we continue to thrive and succeed in a competitive market place.
“As well as investing in the business, we also invest in our staff by providing opportunities for training and development, and staff turnover is low as a result. Investing in the local community is also important to us and we have supported several local charities over the years.
Samantha is very passionate about Tamworth and supports the town in many ways – she is currently deputy chairman of the BID Tamworth Steering Group which is aiming to bring the town centre and retail parks together under the umbrella of a new Business Improvement District.
“As a family, we owe so much to Tamworth,” Samantha added. “It has kept us in business for over 33 years to date. It supports the whole family and 35 members of staff and their families. It would be great if we could win this award for the town, but to even be shortlisted is a great honour. We’re looking forward to a great 25th year.”
Roasters is up against Prizm Solutions Ltd and Apollo Chemicals Ltd.
For more information visit www.roastersrestaurant.co.uk.