Stan's Cafe wins top prize at Creative City Awards

Dec 1 2008 by Anna Blackaby, Creative Industries Editor

The Birmingham theatre company behind the acclaimed Of All The People In All The World exhibition scooped the top prize at the Creative City Awards in a sparkling event attended by the cream of Birmingham’s creative talent.

Stan’s Café were awarded the Creative Industries Award in a ceremony hosted by NEC chief executive Paul Thandi and BBC Breakfast presenter Kate Silverton at the ICC.

The theatre company, formed in 1991, devises original and unusual productions from its base in Birmingham and tours them internationally.

Chair of the judging panel and Birmingham City Council creative development team business co-ordinator Carol Alderson said: “They have had a very exciting 2008 mainly due to their “Grains of Rice” exhibition that has gone around Europe and back.

“They also do exemplary work in the community promoting the arts around schools and other community establishments.”

LHM Media, a full-service digital agency working across the online and mobile sectors, scooped the Creative City Innovation Award.

Ms Alderson said: “LHM Media represent the strength of small creative businesses in Birmingham. They are a young company, offer a variety of services and do a lot of good work in new media as well as boasting national and international contracts and clients.

The judges awarded the innovation prize to LHM Media because of its unique “Broadcast” mobile system which has been a key driver for the business.

The Outstanding Business Development (Birmingham) Award went to the Electric Cinema.

The Electric Cinema, the oldest working cinema in the UK, was restored and reopened in December 2004.

Electric Cinema managing director Tom Lawes has recently carried out a major physical expansion of the business with the addition of a second screen and the development of a recording studio in the basement of the building.

Ms Alderson said: “Electric Cinema’s managing director Tom Lawes has done an incredible job since he took over.

“As well as giving the building a major makeover, he has led the company through the challenging financial climate and continues to employ staff to his growing roster.”

But the judging panel felt design, marketing and advertising firm Substrakt also deserved special commendation in this category.

“The panel were very impressed with how Andy Hartwell had managed the growth of the business, leading to increased turnover, profitability and number of