The winners of this year's Uttlesford Business Awards have been announced, celebrating 'innovation and excellence' within the district.
Uttlesford District Council received multiple nominations for the 11 awards, split across three categories - 'Enterprise Uttlesford', 'Go Green Uttlesford' and 'Showcase Uttlesford'.
The awards, which were sponsored by Backing Essex Business and Colbea, were announced at a series of networking events last week.
Alongside their trophy, winners were presented with a hamper of locally-sourced food and drink - which included wine from Saffron Grange, gin samples from Meadow Oak Distillery, English saffron tins, jams from the English Cream Tea Company, sausage rolls from Meadow Hill and chocolates from Hill Street Chocolates.
Under the 'Enterprise Uttlesford' category, the winners were Little Hallingbury-based Radio Data Networks for innovation, Tom Cannon of Cannon Architectural Design Ltd in Thaxted for Uttlesford rising star, H Creative in Saffron Walden for online business, and The Gingerbread Grotto (The Art is in the Cake) - also in Saffron Walden - for community impact.
Dunmow-based Jessica Sian received a special mention in the rising star category for establishing the Makers at the Maltings Monthly Markets.
The Enterprise awards were presented at the Novotel London Stansted on March 2.
Go Green awards - presented at Little Easton Manor on March 6 - went to Saffron Walden's T Reed & Son for environmental impact, Gifted in Thaxted for reduction of single use plastic, and The Railway Arms in Saffron Walden for energy saving.
Special mentions went to Bricks & Makers - based in Walden - for environmental impact, and The Refill Barn - based in Radwinter - for reduction of single use plastic.
Finally, Showcase Uttlesford awards went to Wimbish-based The Genial Sheep for 'made in Uttlesford', Meadow Oak Distillery Ltd in Stebbing for 'taste of Uttlesford', Dead Time Beers in Walden for retailer of the year, and Kidzactive - also in Walden - for health and beauty.
The Chameleon Café in Great Dunmow was given a special mention in the retailer of the year category.
A ceremony for the Showcase awards was held at Saffron Hall in Saffron Walden on March 8.
The Enterprise and Showcase awards were presented by Cllr Neil Reeve, portfolio holder for economy and investment, and the Go Green awards were presented by Cllr Louise Pepper, portfolio holder for environment and green issues.
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Cllr Reeve said: "These awards are a wonderful opportunity to celebrate and recognise local businesses and the value they bring to our communities.
"These awards categories were chosen to influence those business behaviours which we are trying to encourage.
"The low-key award events were also designed to encourage networking between the businesses.
“I was delighted to see so many excellent applications – the innovation and excellence that we have here on our doorstep in Uttlesford has really shone through.
"I would like to congratulate all our worthy winners and those who received special mention."
To find out more about the winners and the businesses who received a special mention, visit www.uttlesford.gov.uk/business/awards2023.
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