BMX brothers are riding high

BMX and skate fashion retail outlet The Source was set up in March 2003 by brothers Richard and Marc Moore. The pair started the business in Wilton Road with capital of just 7,000.

But the brothers have used their knowledge of the market to achieve a turnover of over 200,000 through counter and e-based sales.

Richard, 23, and Marc, 21, were presented with the coveted HSBC Overall Business of the Year award at Wednesday's Powdermills Hotel ceremony, as well as the award for Retail Business of the Year.

Business people from the community mingled for the Ten Sixty Six Business Awards, sponsored by HSBC in association with the Observer and Ten Sixty Six Enterprise.

Presenting the award, Ten Sixty Six Enterprises executive director Graham Marley said: "The winner of the award has shown great growth potential in a short period of time, making the most of trade contacts to develop and market the product.

"In their market, knowledge and customer satisfaction is key, and they have demonstrated both."

In the wake of their deserved victory, Richard said: "We're totally stoked. We thought we were in with a chance for the retailer award, but we never knew we were in the running for the overall prize."

As die-hard BMX fans, Marc and Richard have long-standing experience of their market. Marc began his career riding in Sidley aged four, and achieved a world No 3 ranking in Australia in 1998.

Richard has competed in three world championships, and has also achieved success in journalism as senior photographer at BMX-rider in 2002.

Richard said: "We knew everyone in the industry, and it just seemed like an obvious move."

Last summer the brothers were the guiding lights behind the spectacular display in new-look Devonshire Square.

The brothers moved to a larger store in St Leonards Road in October, where they enjoy considerable success in both in-store and mail order sales.

The pair are hoping to attract top riders by building a ramp at their new premises, and are planning to expand into Hastings by the end of the year.

When asked for his advice for fellow budding entrepreneurs, Richard said: "Just make sure you know your market and give it a go. There's a lot of help out there for people starting up."

r The brightest stars on the Hastings and Rother business map were honoured at Wednesday's ceremony.

And the awards were hardly light on business acumen, with nine other businesses receiving credit for their dedication and imagination. Business were honoured in categories such as Best Start Up Business, won by The Indoor Golf Experience of Ivyhouse Lane, and Manufacturing and Construction Business of the Year, scooped by Marshall Tufflex.

And a special award for outstanding contribution was presented to Graham How and Hastings advertising and marketing firm Brooker and How. The judging panel included Tim Cobb of Tim Cobb Associates, pro vice chancellor of the University of Brighton Colin Monk, and Dave Rowland, director of business services at Sussex Enterprise.

Event organisers Ten Sixty Six Enterprise's chamber of commerce manager Linda Williams said: "We were extremely pleased with the event. It was very well attended and all the awards were well deserved.

"It shows the quality of the businesses we have in Hastings and Rother. The winners were just young lads, which demonstrates the entrepreneurial spirit we have in the area.

"We want to make this an annual event, and we hope those businesses that didn't enter will be encouraged by the success of this year's awards.

"We're grateful to HSBC for all their help, and for the support of all our sponsors."