Thursday March 30th 2023
William Kivlin and his partner run the Old School Takeway in Mayfield, photograph by Lee Live.
Last night William Kivlin of the Old School Takeway in Mayfield won the Local Hero award at the Midlothian and East Lothian Chamber of Commerce Business Awards.
Old School Takeaway provide affordable, healthy, home-cooked menu for those in need in the local community in Mayfield in nearby area. They also run monthly free giveaways for the community which ranges from Amazon vouchers or back to school, stationary sets and vouchers for a variety of local retailers.
William has Midlothian in his heart and it is his drive and enthusiasm that has benefited the local area greatly. Whilst living in a homeless hostel he wrote a business plan so impressive that he became the first Melville Housing tenant to be permitted to run a food business from home and Old School Takeway is now Trading successfully.
Last Christmas William persuaded a business owners of fund food for 200 Christmas meals. The local parish church offered the kitchen and church hall and the Old School team and a small army of local volunteers cook the 200 Christmas dinners and donated children’s gifts to the local community.
William got help to start his business from Annie Watts and Robbie Broomfield at Midlothian Business Gateway. He aims to open his own restaurant Monday but his main objective is to become a social enterprise and start cooking classes in hostels to give the homeless something to focus on and off the hope for the future.
Last night William was over the moon with his award and was delighted to have won. He received the warm congratulations from all the businesses at the event. William said:
“I am delighted with this award and I owe it to my partner who had faith in me.”
There were other Midlothian winners last night as One Dalkeith won the Best Community Impact Award.
The community development trust and SCIO One Dalkeith have been working in Dalkeith for a number of years now. Their newly launched Community and Business Hub at Eskdail Court in the centre of Dalkeith provides a number of facilities including a training kitchen, community workshop, theatre and business incubators. The rent received is invested back into One Dalkeith so it can provide community activities directly. Events and activities have so far included community cinema, arts and crafts fairs, taster sessions, cookery classes, upskilling and some community arts installations.
The full list of winners were:
High Growth Business of the Year
Winner: Forth Scaffolding
Commended finalists:
Camerons Strachan Yuill Architects
DTP Southfield
Duct Clean Services.
Best Innovation in Business:
Winner: Carcinotech
Commended finalists:
The Energy Training Academy
NuGen Recycling and Environmental Solutions
Skyrora
Best Environmental Impact
Winner: The Premium Bakery
Commended finalists:
Beebytes Analytics CIC
Everchargeev
Sisaltech
The Wee Bee Company
Best Commitment to Youth Development
Winner: Land Technology
Commended finalists:
Jack and Ivy
Midlothian Sure Start
Randori Dojo
Best Community Impact
Winner: One Dalkeith
Commended finalists:
Crystal FM
Edinburgh Dog and Cat Home
Old School Takeaway
Family Business of the Year
Winner: East Links Family Park
Commended finalists:
The Cavaliere
The Golbin Ha’ Hotel
The Original Rosslyn Inn
New Business of the Year
Winner: HeatFix Scotland
Commended finalists:
Ez Riders NB
Mr Melts Wax
YOPLA
Micro Business of the Year
Winner: Brand Satellite
Commended finalists:
HM Finance Coaching and Advisory
Learn to Grow
SME of the Year
Winner: The Door Centre
Commended finalists:
Cytomos
Fifth House Design
Tenet and You
Local Hero
Winner: William Kivlin, Old School Takeaway
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