Newbury’s sparkling night for businesses
NWN Best in Business awards celebrate success
HUNDREDS of people enjoyed a great night out at this year’s NWN Best in Business Awards.
The event, which took place at Newbury Racecourse on Friday night and was hosted by Bargain Hunt TV star Thomas Forrester, celebrates the successes of West Berkshire’s businesses.
The big winner on the night was Heritage Estate Planning, which was crowned West Berkshire’s Business of the Year.
All finalists in the room were considered for the final award, which was sponsored by Apple Print & Creative and presented by John Morgan and Maureen Sadler.
Heritage Estate Planning also picked up the award for Best Professional Services, which was presented by Newbury MP Laura Farris.
The first award of the evening was presented in memory of the late and much-loved John Hampson, without whom these awards simply would not exist.
John was the commercial manager of the Newbury Weekly News for many years and also held a senior position with headline sponsor Apple Print & Creative.
He organised these awards for many years.
His widow Helen and son Olly were at the event and Mrs Hampson presented the award to winner the Education Business Partnership.
The next award was the Best New Business award, which rewards businesses in their infancy.
The winner, announced by Chris Smith, general manager of The Vineyard, was Sequoia Hair and Beauty.
Then it was on to the Best Independent Retailer. The award for this very highly contested category was presented by Andrew Watts, CEO of Apple Print & Creative, to winner Forrest Motorsport.
The Best Online Business award was presented by Andrew Marmot, centre manager at Parkway Shopping, and the winner was Number 96 Limited.
The Best Green Business category prize, presented by Russell Downing of Fidelity Energy, went to Silver Clay Academy; while the Best Hospitality Champion award, presented by The Vineyard’s director of marketing and sales Sarah Walters, went to Ye Olde Red Lion, Chieveley.
The winner of the Best Sports Club, sponsored by venue host Newbury Racecourse and presented by Ricky Allan, chief revenue officer of Iliffe Media Group, was Madden Swim School.
The Charity of the Year award was presented by Swift Logistics Group’s Lucy Wellman and Rebecca Josling.
The winner of this award – which received the trophy, as well as a cheque for £750, courtesy of sponsors, Swift – was Time to Talk West Berkshire.
The Employer of the Year category, presented by Craig Mincher of sponsor West Berkshire Training Consortium, was won by Broadmead Rest Home.
And the hotly contested Best Customer Experience category, presented by Jo Woolley of sponsor Jones Robinson, went to Smart Sprayz.
Best Town Centre BID Business was presented by Warwick Heskins, chairman of the Visit Newbury/Newbury BID board and proprietor of the Catherine Wheel, and went to Milk and Bean; while the Best Business Innovation category, which was sponsored by Harrison & Green, which was also responsible for the gorgeous floral displays on the night, went to Cinalight, which was presented with the trophy by Karen Harrison of Harrison & Green.
The Team of the Year award, supported by 2023 winner Falkland Grange Care Home and presented by Carla Kell, senior care home manager, went to Eight Bells for Mental Health.
Compere for the evening, Thomas Forrester, said: “I think you will all agree this has been a fantastic ceremony.
“Many congratulations to all of our finalists and winners.”
The NWN would like to thank the headline sponsor and event partner Apple Print & Creative, as well as the category award sponsors, Jones Robinson, Fidelity Energy, The Vineyard, Parkway Shopping , Newbury Racecourse, Visit Newbury and the Newbury BID, Harrison & Green, Swift Logistics Group, and West Berkshire Training Consortium.
Thanks also to the associate sponsors, which were Forrest Motorsport, Specialist Auction Services, Renegade Brewery and Platinum Mobile Bars.
You can read more from each of the winners on the coming pages.