Nottingham based insurers and financial advisors, The Wilson Organisation (Wilsons) have shown their support and confidence in the thriving Nottingham restaurant scene by securing their position as title sponsors of the Nottingham Restaurant Awards for the second consecutive year.  After a record breaking year for the Nottingham Restaurant Awards and in the face of a much talked about recession Charlotte Prow, Joint Managing Director of The Wilson Organisation explains why it was an easy decision to sponsor the awards again.

“Nottingham’s restaurant scene has real strength in depth, with some exceptionally talented individuals, and is proving to be a sector with real buoyancy.  We wanted to show our ongoing support for Nottingham restaurateurs and so it was a straightforward decision for us to continue our sponsorship of the Nottingham Restaurant Awards into a second year.  We are all looking forward to working with the organisers and the restaurants to make the 2009 awards a real year to remember.”

Surpassing the standards set by the 2008 awards will be no mean feat.  The number of public votes cast and received by independent adjudicator EMNET broke all previous records with a final tally of 42,052 votes.

Also pledging their support as individual award sponsors are; Cookco Limited, Experience Nottinghamshire, Ibrow Media, Imperial Linen Company, Kitchen Confidential, Matthew Clark, New College Nottingham, Owen Taylor and Sons, Stirland Paterson, Unsoy UK and Young and Prearce.

Obviously local commitment to a thriving industry is strong and with the impending launch of the 2009 Nottingham Restaurant Awards the industry seems to be going against all predictions of a recession.  Surprisingly in the current climate, confidence in the local restaurant industry from both restaurateurs and diners alike is present and could be attributed to the success of the Nottingham Restaurant Awards which champions the region’s industry.

Gary Thompson, proprietor of TONIC commented:

“In the face of tough economic trading conditions it is inevitable that some people will dine out less frequently.  It is therefore more important than ever for restaurants attract new customers.  The recognition that Tonic has received through first winning the Nottingham Restaurant Awards Best Newcomer 2007 and then following this up with Runner Up in The Nottingham Restaurant of The Year 2008 has played a key part in raising awareness of Tonic restaurant and attracting first time visitors.  Turning those customers into regulars is then down to the quality of the food and service, the environment in which it is offered, and value for money – the fact that the restaurant is growing at almost 30% year on year suggests that Tonic has got this covered.”

Nottingham’s established and well executed newcomers are continuing to see growth during uncertain times and providing an important opportunity for employment within the catering industry.  Latest figures released by Nottingham City Council indicate that restaurants and bars within the city employ 9,500 full and part time employees*.  Of this figure 3,700 are employed on a full time basis and 5,800 as part time staff.

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*Nottingham City Council AB1 catering employee figures 2006