Newbury Weekly News Best in Business Awards 2024: The winners announced in gala dinner

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, celebrates the successes of West Berkshire’s businesses.

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 sponsors Apple Print & Creative.

He organised these awards for many years.

His wife Helen and son Olly were at the event and Olly presented the award to winners, The Education Business Partnership.

Olly said: “Dad's genuine passion was championing young people and giving them opportunities to succeed in their adult life and so his award recognises the organisations that are committed to that goal.

“Tonight's winner does just that and has done for decades.

“They provide essential work experience for school pupils, matching young people with local businesses and giving them valuable experience for what their future careers could be.”

The next award, the Best New Business award, 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 winners Forrest Motorsport.

The Best Online Business award was presented by Andrew Marmot, centre manager at Parkway Shopping. The winner of the award was Number 96 Limited.

The Best Green Business category prize, presented by Russell Downing of Fidelity Energy, went to Silver Clay Academy.

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 hosts 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 - who received the trophy, as well as a cheque for £750, courtesy of sponsors, Swift Logistics Group – was Time to Talk West Berkshire.

The Employer of the Year category, presented by Craig Mincher of sponsor’s West Berkshire Training Consortium, was won by Broadmead Rest Home.

The hotly contested Best Customer Experience category, presented by Jo Woolley of sponsors 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.

The Best Business Innovation category, which was sponsored by Harrison & Green who were also responsible for the gorgeous floral displays on the night, went to Cinalight, who were presented with the trophy by Karen Harrison of Harrison & Green.

The Best Professional Services, which was presented by Newbury MP Laura Farris, went to Heritage Estate Planning.

The Team of the Year award, supported by 2023 winners Falkland Grange Care Home and presented by Carla Kell, senior care home manager, went to Eight Bells for Mental Health.

And then it was time for the biggest award of the night - West Berkshire’s Business of the Year, sponsored by Apple Print & Creative.

All finalists in the room were considered for this award, which was presented by John Morgan and Maureen Sadler of AP&C.

And the winners were Heritage Estate Planning.

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 sponsors and event partners, Apple Print & Creative, as well as the category award sponsors, Jones Robinson, Fidelity Energy, The Vineyard, Parkway, Newbury Racecourse, Visit Newbury and the Newbury BID, Harrison & Green, Swift Logistics Group, and West Berkshire Training Consortium.

Thanks also to the associate sponsors were Forrest Motorsport, Specialist Auction Services, Renegade Brewery and Platinum Mobile Bars.