Company's profile risen considerably since winning competition

CRYSTAL Venue Decoration won last year's local element of the competition, closely followed by locksmith Richard Ellis Ltd and The Handyman.

And it had a long-lasting impact, as the mentoring led to a change of name for the company established by Donna and Buster Keanan in 2008 as Crystal Chair Covers.

Mr Keanan described the mentoring given to the company as "really helpful".

He said: "If we have an idea we like to act on it, and it's good to have someone from the outside looking in who can say whether they think it's a good idea or not.

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"Having those two extra pairs of eyes has definitely been beneficial.

"They suggested that for us to take the business to the next level we should change our name. We have acted on that advice.

"Initially when we started we just did chair covers, but we now offer the complete package, from backdrops to chocolate fountains and sweet buffets.

"It's a good move because if people were looking online for chair covers they would have found us, but if they were looking for other things they wouldn't have."

Reflecting on the competition as a whole, and the benefit of the advertising campaign, Mr Keanan said: "The business has grown. A lot of people are far more aware that we are around. Our profile has risen considerably."

A couple of industry awards have also followed.