Celebrating success was the theme of the seventh Leamington Business Awards which returned to a live event for the first time in three years.

Eleven winners were finally unveiled on Friday after being chosen from more than 180 nominations.

The ceremony, hosted by DJ – and Leamingtonian - Kirsty Leahy, took place at 1 Mill Street following a meal at The Drawing Board. It marked the completion of two stages of the Awards which earlier recognised COVID Business Resilience, Business Pivoting and Lockdown Heroes of 2020/21.

More than £1,000 was also raised through a raffle on the night which is being divided between the three finalists in the South Warwickshire Charity of the Year category – Molly Ollys, Safeline and Brunswick Hub.

Established in 2014 and now organised by Jonathan Smith, of Talk Business UK, the LBAs champion and celebrate the work of local businesses, individuals and organisations.

Jonathan Smith introduces the awards

Jonathan said: "More so than ever, the judges were inspired by the resilience and ingenuity local businesses have shown in dealing with the pandemic and coming out the other side stronger and even more determined.

"It was a delight to read all the entries and learn so much more about the local individuals and their businesses and how they adapted and developed and used the challenges of the past two years to develop themselves, their people and their services.

"With businesses and organisations concentrating on getting their businesses and teams back up to speed, we decided to postpone the planned awards deadlines into 2022 and host the awards presentation in March. This was definitely the right decision as the volume and quality of entries we received for this year's awards blew us away."

The winners were chosen by a panel of five judges, including Roger Scott of Lloyds Bank and Sarah Windrum the Chair or the CWLEP and announced at a dinner and awards ceremony at The Drawing Board and 1 Mill Street in Leamington, on Friday, (March 18th). Each winner received a bespoke award designed by 3D design student, Ollie Hill from Warwickshire College.

Matt Western MP with host Kirsty Leahy

Guest of honour Matt Western MP, gave a short speech in which he also acknowledged the war in Ukraine.

He said: "It's very difficult for me not to think and talk about Ukraine. And I want to say to those businesses and organisations who have made things happen in the last few weeks, thank you, because Leamington has done some special things, including everything that's been going on at the Polish Mission and elsewhere. I think about what it would be like for that sort of atrocity to come and destroy our town and appreciate more than ever just how precious it is. And it's precious because of people like you.

"I had a niece who was in Kyiv right up until a couple of days before the Russian invasion. What we have – our lives, our relationships and our community, are so very important and that's why I'm so grateful we can have events like this again so we can all share in the recognition of the special people in our community." 

He went on to add: "All the finalists here tonight are great examples of the wonderful businesses we have in Leamington district and I'm very passionate about keeping our towns together. Without our town centres, without those areas where people come together - for the contact, for the trade, to consume, and share ideas and opportunities, we have nothing so they're so important to our psyche and our prosperity as well." 

Winners:

New Business of the Year (Sponsored by Lodders Solicitors LLP)

Winner: Caremark Warwick

Judges' comments: "Caremark has set up the business in a challenging sector during the pandemic, showing strong growth and employment and providing a valuable service to the local community."

Caremark Warwick snapped up New Business of the Year

Innovation of the Year (Sponsored by Glued)

Winner: Nimbus Maps

Nimbus Maps receive their award

Customer Service Excellence Award (Sponsored by The Box Factory)

Winner: WDC Art Section

Judges' comments: "Impressive year on year improvement in customer feedback, strong focus on training and implementation of a creative range of ways to provide good service and measure feedback. The team will often be a visitor's first interaction in our town and it is crucial for the wider business economy that their welcome is warm to keep people coming back!"

Outstanding achievement

Winner: Vogue International

Employer of the Year (Sponsored by Leap People Solutions)

Winner: Aubrey Allen

Business and the Community Award (Sponsored by BID Leamington)

Winner: Make Good Grow

Independent Business of the Year (Sponsored by HB&O)

Winner: Modern Homes

South Warwickshire Freelancer of the Year (Sponsored by Beyond The Book)

Winner: Washington Levi Music

Creative Business of the Year (Sponsored by Fresh Seed)

Winner: Motionhouse

South Warwickshire Charity of the Year

Winner: Brunswick Hub

Business of Year (Sponsored by ActionCOACH)

Winner: Motionhouse 

The previous winners of the first phase of the awards were:

Business Resilience Award:

Winner: CJ's Events, Warwick

Business Pivot Award:

Winner: Heartbreak Productions, Leamington

Lockdown Hero Award:

Winner: Baabzi Takeaway, Warwick