Winners of the Rutland & Stamford Mercury Business Awards 2021 revealed in ceremony at Greetham Valley
The winners of the Rutland & Stamford Mercury Business 2021 were crowned at an awards ceremony tonight (Friday, October 15).
After months of anticipation, the finalists, main partners, category and associate sponsors, judges and guests gathered at Greetham Valley to celebrate all that is great about business in the Stamford and Rutland area.
Hosted by Rutland & Stamford Sound's Rob Persani, the winners in 10 categories each took home a beautiful wooden trophy made by Viking Signs. The winners were narrowed down from 200 entries to 24 businesses represented with three shortlisted in each of the categories.
Addressing the audience of more than 250 guests, Rutland and Stamford Mercury editor Kerry Coupe said the achievements of the businesses in the room "mean more this year than they ever have before".
"The past 18 months have been difficult. Every person, business and organisation has been affected by the pandemic," she said.
"But the fact we are all here tonight is testament to your resilience, innovation and hard work. These awards always make me feel incredibly proud about the area in which I live and work, but even more so tonight. In the worst of times, you didn’t just survive, you thrived. For that you should be incredibly proud."
The evening began with a drinks reception, before guests watched a video showcasing the Mercury's charity for the evening Anna's Hope. The charity was founded 15 years ago by Carole and Rob Hughes in memory of their daughter Anna to support children and young people with brain tumours and their families.
During the ceremony itself, videos produced by Leo Media, were shown throughout the presentation giving guests a flavour of each business or individual and why they deserved to be finalists.
The winners were:
Best New Start-Up (sponsored by Hegarty LLP): Class Q
Highly commended: The Blonde Beet and Iris & Violet
Best Independent Retailer (sponsored by Oldrids & Downtown): Iris & Violet
Highly commended: Paper Plane Designs and Simmons Optometrists
Business Innovation (sponsored by Alltech): Talk Networking
Highly commended: Drafft Grains and Peters' Cleaners
Best Social Enterprise (sponsored by Stamford College): Evergreen Care Trust
Highly commended: MindSpace Stamford and Stamford Anti-Racism Group
Customer Care (sponsored by Bluebird Care): The Danish Invader
Highly commended: Choice Mortgages and Rutland Cycling
Great Taste (judged by Clipsham Stone Cutting Company): Orbis
Highly commended: No1 Kitchen Bar and Grill
Employee or team of the year (sponsored by South Kesteven District Council): Rose Krezwell of Radfield Homecare
Highly commended: Leo Zammit of Peters' Cleaners and the team at Bluebird Care Stamford and Rutland
Businesssperson of the Year (judged by The Danish Invader): Laura Wilson of CLM
Highly commended: Leisa MacKenzie, of Bluebird Care Stamford & Rutland and Anna Morrish, of Quibble Content Ltd
Small Business of the Year (sponsored by Olsen Metrix): The Danish Invader
Highly commended: J Laverack Bicycles and Sportsrooms
Large Business of the Year (sponsored by Chattertons): Bluebird Care Stamford & Rutland
Highly commended: Larkfleet Group and Rutland Cycling
Mercury editor Kerry Coupe said afterwards: "Once again the Mercury Business Awards were a tremendous success and we were delighted to share the amazing achievements of our winners and finalists, all of whom should be congratulated.
"My thanks also go to our sponsors and supporters - without you the event just would not be possible - and especially to Greetham Valley, who once again were fantastic hosts. It really was an amazing night."
Our thanks go to our sponsors: Hegarty Solicitors, Oldrids & Downtown, South Kesteven District Council, Stamford College, The Danish Invader, Alltech, Bluebird Care and Chattertons; and our associate sponsors: Clipsham Stone Cutting Company, Leo Media, Moore Thompson, Olsen Metrix and Viking Signs.
A special supplement will be in next week's Mercury, featuring pictures and full reports from the night, out on Friday, October 22.
