Southwark Cathedral wins Inner City 100 Award

Southwark Cathedral Enterprises Ltd was one of the fastest growing inner city businesses in the country last year; the company has experienced a growth rate of 188% over the last five years. As such it won one of the Inner City 100 Awards – dubbed the 'Enterprise Oscars' by Chancellor Gordon Brown.

The awards are given to inner city businesses which help the local area by creating jobs and fuelling local economies. Southwark Cathedral Enterprises, which operates the shop and conference and events business and also manages the Refectory and car parking, employs six people and has created ten additional jobs. The New Economics Foundation, the independent think tank that leads the Inner City 100 awards, said: "Southwark Cathedral Enterprises Ltd is directly involved in the local community by generating income to enable Southwark Cathedral to function and work as the Cathedral Church of South London and East Surrey, welcoming visitors and worshippers."

Cathedral administrator Sarah King received the award at a ceremony held in November.

"We are delighted to receive this award and see it as recognition of the work that we are doing in the inner city," said the Dean of Southwark, the Very Revd Colin Slee. "We are very involved in working with the local community on regeneration matters and are pleased to have been able to contribute to the growth of employment in the area. May I pay tribute to the hard work, professionalism and entrepreneurship of all of those involved in Southwark Cathedral Enterprises who are dedicated and committed to making the company perform well."

Other SE1 businesses were recognised by the awards: Lower Marsh-based solarcentury and River Pro Audio of Grange Yard also featured on the list of 100 companies.

Solarcentury won three trophies: greenest UK inner city company, fastest-growing inner London company and second fastest-growing UK inner city company

To be eligible for the Inner City 100 awards, companies have to be located in an inner city, be independent, have been founded before 1999, employ at least 5 people and act in a socially and environmentally responsible manner.

The hundred companies turn over more than £1 billion and employ 1,500 people.