SUCCESSFUL firms from across Wiltshire and Gloucestershire were highlighted at the Fairford and Lechlade Business Club Awards 2015 on Friday night.

For the eighth year running, business leaders, new starters, and young entrepreneurs gathered together to recognise and celebrate at the annual awards ceremony.

Held at the Crown of Crucis pub in Ampney Crucis, members and newcomers enjoyed a three course meal before the winners were announced.

Last year, Lechlade businesses dominated the awards ceremony but this year Fairford, Southrop and Cirencester also came out on top.

Addressing the audience on Friday night, chairman of Fairford and Lechlade Business Club, Andrew Pywell, said: “The awards are a high point of the year and of the club’s calendar.

“We have had a bumper crop of great entries and I do not envy the judges.”

Local firms stepped up to sponsor the awards, including Cotswold Woollen Weavers from Filkins, Cirencester-based Corinium Ales, and Cirencester’s McGills Chartered Accountants.

Cirencester-based Athena Web Designs took home the Business of the Year award, while Greg Wheeler of Cotswold Boat Hire in Lechlade was presented with the Business Person of the Year prize.

New Business of the Year was awarded to Fairford’s Colosseo Italian restaurant, and Lechlade Festival was dubbed the Most Innovative Business of the Year.

Oliver Wright was named the Most Outstanding Business Student thanks to his disco deck alarm clock.

The Howard Dowler Award, for a person who has made an outstanding contribution to the community, was presented to Lechlade Festival organiser Jennie Rainsford.

Award winners and finalists

Business of the Year 2015 Award

Sponsored by Cotswold Woollen Weavers, Filkins

Winner: Athena Web Designs, Cirencester 

Runners up: Agnito UK Ltd in Southrop and DentArtWork Dental Care in Lechlade              

 

Business Person of the Year 2015 Award

Sponsored by McGills Chartered Accountants, Cirencester    

Winner: Greg Wheeler, Cotswold Boat Hire, Lechlade     

Runners up: Mary Thomas of Concise Training in Faringdon, Camilla George of DentArtWork Dental Care in Lechlade and Susan Davies of Gable End Farm in Wootton Bassett

 

New Business of the Year Award

Sponsored by Agnito UK Ltd, Southrop     

Winner: Colosseo Italian Restaurant, Fairford

Runners up: Bluestone Insurance Services in Cirencester, Big Yellow Marketing Communications in Cirencester

 

Most Innovative Business

Sponsored by Corinium Ales Ltd., Cirencester                   

Winner: Lechlade Festival, Lechlade       

Runners up: DentArtWork Dental Care in Lechlade, Lechlade Craft Barn and Fairford Town Football Club.

 

Most Outstanding Business Student

Sponsored by RAF Charitable Trust Enterprises (RIAT)

Winner: Oliver Wright with his Disco Deck Alarm Clock     

Runners up: Alex Griffith, Jessica Robinson, Sadie Reeves and Poppy Perring

 

The Howard Dowler Award

An award presented and chosen by FLBC Chairman Andrew Pywell to the business or business person who has made an outstanding contribution in the community.

Winner: Jennie Rainsford of Lechlade Festival   

 

Pictures by Chris Roberts