Village Matters

Shepperton Shines at Spelthorne Business Awards

Spelthorne has a lot to be proud of. Some amazing businesses were on show at the inaugural Spelthorne Business Awards at Shepperton Studios recently.

160 gathered in the glamorous Orangery to celebrate the best of Spelthorne. Businesses small and large. The Orangery looks resplendent with dreamy drapes, sparkly lights and beautifully laid out tables. A veritable Oscar setting!

There were 7 categories, each sponsored by a local business, and some amazing local businesses had been shortlisted. Many of these businesses may have passed you by. These awards sought to bring them into the limelight as finalists and ultimately winners.

Amongst finalists you could find a full service advertising agency in the heart of Staines, a job placement service for ex soldiers looking for a second career, a crisp company, a company designing and making wind sensors used in wind turbines, a micro brewery, a micro bakery, a Lebanese food business and a company advising on keeping chickens.

What unbelievable diversity we have in the Borough. What talent and creativity.
Before announcing winners across the 7 categories we were treated to an inspiring talk by Ben Towers. This young man had beaten most of our achievements before he even left school. He started his first business at the
tender age of 11 when he discovered that he could earn money making websites for his parents friends. The Sunday Times named him most influential teenager in the world and it was he who lobbied banks to open business bank accounts to under 18’s. The merger of his own business with another digital company netted him millions. He is still only 20. Let that inspire your children. Simply amazing!
So on to our amazing winners in Spelthorne:

Creative Business of the Year went to Zest4.TV, an outside broadcast company.
Exporter of the Year went to Brown Bag Crisps for their hand made crisps which you can find as far afield as China, Norway and Dubai.
Healthy Business Award went to The Hazelwood Centre, the training ground for London Irish in Sunbury.
Best New Start Up was awarded to the popular Willow Bakery in Shepperton.
Best Business in Staines went to Caffe
Gusto, an independent coffee shop.
Independent Business of the Year went to Charlotte’s Chickens. This family run business sells hybrid hens for families and schools and runs chicken keeping courses.
Best Small Business went to Dyno, a franchise of Dyno Rod. (The two other shortlisted business really are small businesses and we were disappointed for Daisy Chain and Samara Cuisine).

Finally the Best Business in Spelthorne was announced. A little business called Brown Bag Crisps, started from a kitchen on
Hamhaugh Island, Shepperton has become an international business success story. Phil and Viv Lambe could not be at the ceremony to collect either this or Exporter of the Year but were presented a few days later by Nick Wood-Dow (left above) and the smiles say it all. Huge congratulations!

Well done to all business who entered, were shortlisted and who won. You deserve to be proud.