‘Dignity, empathy, peace and respect’

A family run business, Cliff Bradley and Son’s on Heaton Street, Gainsborough, have been offering funeral services to the families of Gainsborough since 1964.

Last year, they were nominated for the Standard-sponsored Best Customer Service category at the Gainsborough Business Award - and they’ve pulled off the impressive feat of being shortlisted as a finalist yet again.

Alongside them, Emmaloo’s cafe and Barren Bou are also up for the award.

Due to the nature of their profession, funeral directors meet families when they are at their most vulnerable, and for generations Cliff Bradley and Son’s have gained a reputable history of tending to the bereaved with an impeccable degree of care, respect and dedication.

“It’s very nice to be nominated, it’s quite an honour,” said Carlton Bradley who runs the funeral home with his father Cliff and brother Mannie.

“To be up for it for a second year in a row is fantastic. We are all deeply touched that people recognise the special effort that we put it.”

He continued: “The level of customer service we offer is second to none. What we offer can’t be taught or imitated and it’s more than a business – we’re all about offering every single family that we see the dignity, empathy and respect that everyone is entitled to.”

“We like to think that when people come to us we treat them as if they are a member of our family.”

Carlton, 25, says that after growing up surrounded by the profession, the level of compassion and care that his family provides to the community just seems natural to him.

“It’s just normal to me,” says Carlton.

“I have always been involved, this is all I have ever known.”

He went on: “It would be a great honour and privilege to us as a business if we were to win this award and would be fine recognition for all of our hard work.”

Carlton added: “We truly pride ourselves on what we do. The fact that we look after people with a great deal of care, support and empathy is probably why we’re up for the award again.”

“It’s a privilege to serve the community in the way we do, and I’d like to say a huge thank you on behalf of us all to whoever nominated us again and made this possible.”

The person who nominated Cliff Bradley and Sons for the award chose to remain anonymous, but had nothing but pure praise for them.

“I am completely in awe of everyone who works so hard at Cliff Bradley and Sons,” they said.

“Everyday they are faced with such grief and suffering, but they handle every family with such an amazing level of care and grace.”

“It’s a customer service award, and I don’t think you can get much better than what they do. For decades they’ve been at the heart of the community, meeting people at their most fragile and seeing their needs are met with love.”

“They must have lost count of the amount of lives they’ve touched and they’re truly a credit to Gainsborough.”

Awards organiser Kelly Taylor from Langleys solictors said that this is a fantastic opportunity to celebrate Gainsborough’s business successes.

“There is plenty of scope to celebrate the wealth and variety of business talent that Gainsborough has to offer,” she said. “Categories include Business of the Year, Small Business of the Year, Business person of the Year, Best New Business, Best Use of Innovation and Technology and Outstanding Contribution to the Community.”

The Gainsborough Business Awards 2011 will be a black tie dinner at the White Heather at Caenby Corner, near Gainsborough. This year’s awards are set to be bigger and better than ever, featuring a special appearance from Stuart Bagg’s - star of last year’s The Apprentice on BBC1.

The event will take place on Thursday 15th September at 7pm. For more information and the awards and all other categories, visit www.gainsboroughbusinessawards.com

See next week’s Gainsborough Standard for a full preview of all nominees across all categories and a look ahead to the big bash.