Robert Halfon Celebrates Small Business Saturday With His Three Winners

ON Saturday 1 December, Robert Halfon, MP for Harlow, celebrated Small Business Saturday by visiting business all over the town and giving out his three awards.

The day started by visiting Jack Broadstock, an apprentice working with WE Marson and Harlow College. Jack won Robert’s prestigious ‘Apprentice of the Year’ Award after excelling in his current role. Jack showed Robert some of his 3D models which are used to design and create laboratory equipment for firms all over the country.

While there, James Marson, Director at WE Marson, gave Robert a tour of the workshop where Robert met with some of the staff working at the company.

Robert said “It’s companies like WE Marson that are so special to Harlow. I’m thrilled that the company have now got two apprentices working with them as this presents a ladder of opportunity to the people of Harlow a beyond. The work that WE Marson are doing for schools and other businesses is great to see and I hope that their success continues.”

Tony Ahmet and his team at the Harlow Dry Cleaners then won Robert’s ‘Employer of the Year’ Award. Robert received many nominations for the company with many reports saying that staff were very happy at work and felt their work was rewarded.

Mr Ahmet said “I don’t know what to say. I just want to say thank you very much. I’m just lost for words.”

Robert then visited the Shake Hut at The Stow who won his ‘New Small Business of the Year’ Award. Robert is a big fan of the Shake Hut and was thrilled when he received nominations for the business.

Upon winning the award, Samantha, the owner of Shake Hut, said “Thank you very much for your support. We’re absolutely thrilled that we were nominated and awarded the trophy today by Robert.”

Robert added “Small Business Saturday has been a fantastic celebration of the small and independent business in Harlow and the villages. These businesses are the backbone of our society by creating jobs and apprenticeships. These business bring the ladder of opportunity to people which is so important.”