Sleeping beauty scoops award

Lerwick- and Inverness-based Sleeping Beauty has scooped the top prize in the Small Business category of the Scottish Edge Awards 2007, which recognise organisations offering practical-learning opportunities for young people. The prize comes with a grant of £5,000 for the company to invest in training plans. Hands-on win Sleeping Beauty, which fought off competition from around the country, is now competing against other regional winners for the chance to win the national Edge Small Business Award, and a grant of £12,000. Judges were impressed by the beauty salon's commitment to ensuring both its staff and local youngsters interested in a career in beauty therapy have the opportunity to learn job skills. Owner of Sleeping Beauty, Lilac Miller, who travelled to the awards ceremony in London to collect the award, said: "I'm delighted to be recognised for our drive to offer practical learning opportunities for young people. "Since Sleeping Beauty was established in 1999 we have forsaken profits to spend every spare penny investing in employees. This award proves we were right to do so. I plan to spend the money setting up a training academy and deliverying short courses for those interested in beauty therapy."