Business of the Year
Winner: Mitchell & Sarjent, Fairford
Runners Up: Filkins Nursery
Fairford Roof Tiles
Business Person of the Year
Winner: Louise Jenkins of Filkins Nursery
Runners Up: Bob Warren of The Trout, Lechlade
Judy Hurt of The Christmas Shop, Lechlade
New Business of the Year
Winner: The Deli in Fairford
Runners Up: Caroline McShane Flowers, Fairford
Rachael Rodia, Holistic Massage Therapies, Lechlade
Most Innovative Business of the Year
Winner: The Trout Inn, Lechlade
Runners Up: N/A
Most Outstanding Business Student of the Year
Winner: Andy Butler
Runners Up: Tom O’Dell, Thea Oram, Catherine Prothero and Anna Wilkins
The Howard Dowler Award
Winner: Richard Truscott of Lechlade Garden Centre
Over 100 business people from all over Gloucestershire - not just Fairford and Lechlade - attended the 5th annual Fairford & Lechlade Business Club Awards Ceremony and Dinner at the newly refurbished Crown of Crucis Hotel at the end of January. Following a delicious three course meal of Oak Smoked Duck Breast; Pan Fried Tenderloin of Old Spot Pork and a choice of sumptuous desserts, many of the guests were able to treat themselves to a real bargain in the Grand Auction, which was conducted by Roy Bowyer from Moore, Allen & Innocent. The prizes included a day at Cheltenham Races for 2 people; a specially commissioned portrait painted an acclaimed local artist; overnight stay at a luxury lodge for 6 people and a round of golf for 4 people.
But the highlight of the evening and, indeed, the whole business year was the Awards Ceremony which celebrates and recognises company excellence and achievement as well as the potential of budding entrepreneurs from Farmor’s School.
Five Year 11 Business Studies students from the school had been short-listed to attend the event and Helen Webb of RAFCTE announced the winner of the Most Outstanding Business Student as Andy Butler, who had impressed the judges with his initiative in looking for ways to improve the marketing and promotion of a small accountancy firm in Swindon.
The Most Innovative Business of the Year award went to The Trout Inn, Lechlade. Suzanne Hall-Gibbins of Glos Chamber of Commerce said landlord Bob Warren had shown particular innovation by diversifying to attract new customers and keep them coming back. Some of the attractions at the pub included classic boats, live steam and tractor events and even Gifford’s Circus!
Marianne Sweet from the Lakes by yoo presented The Deli in Fairford with the best New Business of the Year award and said that The Deli’s success had been achieved by good pricing and product sourcing, offering tasting and providing local people with a real alternative for deli products.
Last year’s Business Awards host, Richard Truscott of Lechlade Garden Centre announced Louise Jenkins of Filkins Nursery as Business Person of the Year. The judges felt that Louise was a stand-out winner and had expanded her business despite various setbacks such as flooding, which meant having to close the Nursery and start again!
The coveted title of Business of the Year went to Mitchell & Sarjent, Fairford. Trish Poole of Cotswold Woollen Weavers said that partners, Barbara Ellen-Mitchell and Rebecca Sarjent, were the obvious winners having built up their accountancy business from nothing and now had a wide range of clients from small to large businesses, high net worth individuals and overseas clients.
The Howard Dowler Award is presented by Tim Small, Chair of Fairford & Lechlade Business Club, to the person or business that has made an outstanding contribution to the community. This year, the award went to Richard Truscott of Lechlade Garden Centre who has totally involved himself and the Garden Centre in the local community supporting schools, local organisations and events.
The evening was a tremendous success and it is thanks not only to our sponsors but also the outstanding local businesses we have in this area. Everyone deserved to be a winner, but there is always next year!
