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Space NK founder Nicky Kinnaird has said she is “honoured” to be hosting the Belfast Business Awards this Spring which are organised by Belfast City Council.

The Belfast Business ‘Oscars’ will take place in the newly refurbished City Hall on Thursday 29 April with 19 awards presented in recognition of the fine work of business enterprises, retail outlets and businessmen and women across the city.

There has been a phenomenal response for entries to the awards so far but there is still a little time left for businesses to get their entries in before the closing date for applications on Thursday 25 February 2010.

Nicky who was born in South Belfast and educated at Victoria College before going on to revolutionise the face of the UK beauty industry with the success of her luxurious beauty venture Space NK.apothecary gave an interview with Belfast City Council’s residents’ magazine City Matters out next month.

She said: “I am thrilled to be involved with the Belfast Business Awards – it means such a lot as it takes me back to where an important part of my story began. I’m a huge supporter of local businesses and entrepreneurs, from start-ups to success stories, and it’s great to be witnessing the positive growth and success of others.”

The retail guru opened her first store in London’s Covent Garden in 1993 at the age of 29. Today Space NK has 63 outlets across the UK with 4 stores in New York and 9 shops in the Bloomingdales chain across the US. Closer to home, there are two Space NK stores in Belfast – in Donegall Square North and on the Lisburn Road.

“Belfast has been the only city in the UK where we decided to open two Space NK stores from the get-go,” Nicky said.

“The Lisburn Road offers an unparalleled variety of speciality stores in an affluent suburban environment so is a natural fit for our brand whilst the Donegall Square North store services the city centre shopper and the business community.

“Belfast has changed dramatically for the better over the past ten years. We have finally caught up with the likes of Glasgow, Manchester and Newcastle in terms of urban regeneration within the UK and the peace process was really the catalyst for the increased pace of development. We now have a retail and recreational offer to rival other comparable cities in the UK.”

As for offering valuable business advice to young entrepreneurs in Belfast as well as businesses coping in the current economic climate, she said:

“Passion and focus go a long way to make something happen. It is astounding just how often something you wish for and work determinedly towards comes to fruition. In my opinion, it is important to always be true to yourself and your beliefs despite the difficulties you may face.

“Remember that ‘no’ doesn’t necessarily mean ‘no’. You should always develop a compelling argument for why someone should say ‘yes’. ”

The full interview with the MBE award winner is out in the next edition of City Matters on 15 March.

Nicky will host the awards in the City Hall on 29 April joined by co-host Marc Mallett from UTV. Tickets are now on sale for table bookings at the gala dinner and anyone wishing to attend is advised to book early to avoid disappointment. They can contact the enquiry line 028 9024 2111.

With less than 3 weeks to enter the awards, businesses are also being urged to get their applications in as soon as they can. They should get their entries in (which are free) for coveted awards like the Best Manufacturing Business; Best International Trade; Best City Regeneration Project; Best Green Business and Best Business Expansion; Best City Hotel/Guest House and Best Restaurant by the closing date – Thursday 25 February 2010.

Entry forms can be obtained from Belfast City Council’s Economic Development Unit on 028 9027 0736 or Belfast City Centre Management on 028 9024 2111. More information on the Belfast Business Awards can be found on the website www.belfastbusinessawards.com

The Belfast Business Awards are organised by Belfast City Council with support from Belfast City Centre Management (BCCM). Principal awards’ sponsors are the Arts Council for Northern Ireland and the DSD who are also sponsoring two individual awards’ categories for Best Creative Industries (Arts Council) and the DSD (Best City Regeneration Project).

Belfast City Council would like to thank all the sponsors for their support with the Belfast Business Awards: – Belfast City Centre Management, Arts Council of Northern Ireland, Department for Social Development, Miller Hospitality, Federation of Small Businesses, Flamegreen, FireIMC, Social Economy Network, Westfield Castlecourt, Leaf Consultancy, World Trade Centre Belfast, Invest Northern Ireland, HARTE, Firmus Energy, Victoria Square, Belfast Chamber of Trade and Commerce, University of Ulster and Boyd Partnership.