Record number of entries for Business awards

Held at Sudbury House Hotel in Faringdon, there were a record number of entries with businesses from all over the Cotswolds, Wiltshire and Oxfordshire.

The awards were hosted by the Mayor of Lechlade, Gary Holland and the judges were extremely impressed by the number and quality of the entries, which showed passion and enthusiasm.

The Business of the Year award, sponsored by Green Hills Cleaning, was scooped by Lynwood’s & Co, Burford, Fairford & Lechlade, who impressed judges by having a clear vision of bringing an Australian style café culture to the Cotswolds.

Business Person of the Year, Sponsored by Hersom Whittaker Ltd, was awarded to Anthony Clarke of Lechlade K9.

The judges were astounded by the amount that Anthony has achieved as a young business man in just three years and the passion and dedication he has in making K9 a success.

Outstanding Business Student of the Year, sponsored by The RAF Charitable Trust Enterprises (Air Tattoo), was presented to Amelia Snell - Elixir.

The entries for this award were from Y12 Business Students from Farmor’s School and each of the three students had written a business case for a new business.

The runners up were William Stamp with his business Upskill Gaming and Anand Patel with his Better Learn idea.

Judges particularly liked Amelia’s business idea Elixir – a homemade cordial homemade cordial and liqueur business with Amelia selling these products and running cocktail making classes to support and promote the business and use of the product.

The full list of winners is:

Outstanding Business Student of the Year: Amelia Snell - Elixir

Business of the Year: Lynwood’s & Co, Burford, Fairford & Lechlade

Business Person of the Year: Anthony Clarke of Lechlade K9

New Business of the Year: Little Bears Bakery, Carterton

Most Innovative Business of the Year: The Barn Theatre, Cirencester

The Bob Warren Hospitality Award: Spike’s Diner, Fairford

The Howard Dowler Award: Shirley Wheeler of Cotswold Boat Hire, Buscot

For more information visit flbc.org.uk

Business Person of the Year

Sponsored by: Hersom Whittaker Ltd

Presented by: Simon Hersom

Business acumen should be recognised and encouraged and this Award highlights the skills and ability of a business owner or employee. There were 12 entries for this Award this year.

Winner:

Anthony Clarke of Lechlade K9

Finalists:

Peter Paredes Paredes Photography, Fairford

Shaun Higgins Edward Bays Ltd, Highworth

Kayla Williams KJ Accounts, Gloucester & Swindon

The judges were astounded by the amount that Anthony has achieved as a young business man in just three years and the passion and dedication he has in making K9 a success. His leadership and organisational skills are consistent with his business aims and goals and in 2019 he wants to develop a charity that will be linked with the Lechlade K9 centre to help others, using the power of dog training.

New Business of the Year

Sponsored by: Butler Toll Ltd

Presented by: James Yeoell

This category is open to all new ventures started within the last 2 years with those entering showing how their business has progressed from an idea to a trading business. There were 11 entries for this Award this year.

Winner:

Little Bears Bakery, Carterton

Finalists:

Magic Beans Cafe Fairford

Rural Workshop Ltd Hatherop

The Barn Theatre Cirencester

The judges were moved by the sad story of why Little Bears Bakery was started, as baking was used as a coping method following a family bereavement and the amount of cake produced was too much for family and friends to consume. The judges were impressed that a hobby has now turned into a full time business with wholesale customers the prime outlet and the opportunities to grow and take on more staff turning from a dream into a reality.

Most Innovative Business of the Year

Sponsored by: ECI Telecom UK

Presented by: John Dunkerley

All businesses are innovative in some way, so entrants had to illustrate how they have managed successfully to introduce new ideas, products, customers, techniques or technology to help grow their business. This category was a very, very close run thing, so all the finalists should take comfort from that! There were 15 entries for this Award this year.

Winner:

The Barn Theatre, Cirencester

Finalists:

Amelia Bishop Consulting Ltd, Swindon

Wrag Barn Golf Club, Highworth

Jen Winnett Art, Cricklade

The judges were extremely impressed that in the current economic climate an arts venue, starting from scratch with a specific vision had been so successful in such a short space of time and was really appreciated by the local community as a positive resource. They were also hugely supportive of the educational and development opportunities at the Barn theatre, encouraging those just graduated in the arts and school children to get involved.

The Bob Warren Hospitality Award

This award was set up in 2017 in memory of Bob Warren, former landlord of the Trout Inn, Lechlade, and long-time supporter of the FLBClub.

Thirty two nominated venues were asked to encourage their customers, friends and family to vote for the hospitality venue (café, pub, restaurant, B&B or hotel etc) that best demonstrated the spirit of Bob Warren – offering great hospitality, excellent customer service, a warm and friendly atmosphere and provided a fantastic all round experience. There were over 300 votes for the nominated businesses. These have been counted and the top five venues are:

Winner:

Spike’s Diner, Fairford

Runners up:

Colosseo Italian Ristorante, Fairford

The Marlborough Arms, Fairford

The Railway Inn, Fairford

Ye Olde Swan @ Radcot

Spike’s Diner is the brainchild of Stuart Pike (S-Pike), who is chairman of Fairford Town Football Club. Stuart and his wife, Sam, have for several years done the catering for events at the Cinder Lane clubhouse for either the Football Club or for private or community events. The natural progression was to create a business of it and call it Spike’s Diner. It has proved very popular with a loyal following. Their menu comprises typically American-diner type food e.g. quarter pounders; the giant Spike burger and even the mega Spike burger! Stuart believes that fast food and football go together and claims his burgers are “the finest hamburgers in football”.

The Howard Dowler Award

Sponsored by: Fairford Roof Tiles

Presented by: Neil Dowler

In memory of Howard Dowler, one of the founding members of the Business Club, this is a special Award made by the Chair to the person or business that has made an outstanding contribution to the local community. Howard’s son, Neil, was attending to present the Award.

Winner:

Shirley Wheeler of Cotswold Boat Hire, Buscot

Shirley was chosen by the Chair of FLBC, as she is hugely supportive of the Business Club. As Vice-Chair of the Club, Shirley provides great input and advice all with a smile on her face – whatever the circumstances. She successfully runs Cotswold Boat Hire whilst supporting other businesses, friends and family whenever they need help. The past year has been particularly challenging for her, but she is the type of person that just carries on with a smile!

The Fairford & Lechlade Business Club would like to sincerely thank Sudbury House Hotel, Faringdon for hosting the event; Gary Holland, Mayor of Lechlade for being a wonderful compere; Philip Allwood from Moore, Allen & Innocent for skillfully conducting the auction; Peter Paredes of Paredes Photography and also thank all the sponsors, donors and media partners, without whom the event would not take place:

Sponsors:

The Lakes by yoo; Butler Toll Ltd; ECI Telecom UK; Fairford Roof Tiles; Andrew Garland, Action Coach; Green Hill Cleaning; Hersom Whittaker Ltd; Morris Owen; Nigel Musgrove, Cousins Business Law; RAFCTE (Air Tattoo); T A Reed (Wiltshire) Ltd; The Coffee Post;