Businesses and entrepreneurs celebrate success at NWN Best in Business Awards

The lucky winners of the Newbury Weekly News Best in Business Awards have shared what winning their award means for them and their businesses.

Silver Clay Academy, based in Hermitage, won the award for Best Green Business, presented by Russell Downing of Fidelity Energy.

Speaking about her win, skilled jewellery artist and founder, Emma Roy, said: "It was our first time, and it was wonderful.

"I was really shocked to win. It was a really strong category and could have gone to any of us, so I was very honoured.”

And speaking about what winning the award means for her business moving forward, she added: "It's the exposure, but it's also the recognition of all the effort I put in to be a sustainable business, as much as I possibly can be.

"I am very eco-conscious in every aspect of my business, so to have that recognition is absolutely incredible.”

Silver Clay Academy has operated out of Old Telephone Exchange at Hermitage since September and offers fine silver jewellery workshops and courses in the Newbury area.

Madden Swim School, also based in Hermitage, was the proud recipient of the award for Best Sports Club, sponsored by venue hosts Newbury Racecourse and presented by chief revenue officer of Iliffe Media Group, Ricky Allan.

Manager and swimming teacher, Julie Marriott, took over running the club from her mother, Rose, who handed over the reins during the pandemic.

“It’s the first one [business awards] I’ve ever been to, and it was amazing,” she said.

“Nearly the whole team came along. We were completely surprised because we’ve only been back in this area for just over a year, so it’s wonderful.

“It was a massive morale booster for our staff. We’ve got the best team of swimming teachers I could ever ask for.

“They’re all committed, they’re young, they’re energetic and have a real passion for swimming and children.

“They’ve already got the best job in the world and then to be recognised for it is just wonderful. They’re still buzzing from it.”

The club currently offers children’s swimming lessons at Downe House school in Cold Ash and The Oratory School in Woodcote.

​Ye Olde Red Lion, based in Chieveley, was presented the award for Best Hospitality Champion by The Vineyard’s director of marketing and sales, Sarah Walters.

Pub landlady Jo Nicholls, who took over running the pub two years ago, said about her win: “It was a fantastic night.

“We took a table of 10 and we all had a brilliant night out.

“The atmosphere was really lively and it felt like a real Newbury community event.

“You’ve got to work hard in this game, so it was so nice to be acknowledged.

“They made all the winners feel like it was a real achievement.”

And speaking about what the award means for the pub, she added: “Initially, I put us forward for it because it’s great publicity within Newbury.

“But what I hadn’t anticipated is how much it has meant to all the locals.

“Everyone who has come in since Friday have said how brilliant it is. People have said how proud they are of their pub.

“We didn’t see that coming at all.

“They’re the ones who originally voted for us and got us into the position to be shortlisted.”