Last Thursday, 21st July, saw the winners of MP Ben Howlett’s ‘Ben’s Best of Bath Business Awards’ announced, celebrating the independent and diverse companies across the city.
The winners in the first year of Ben’s awards were:
- Best independent retailer: David Simon Contemporary
- Best independent café: Made by Ben
- Best independent restaurant: Menu Gordon Jones
- Best window display: Rossiters
- Best independent newcomer: Flamingo
A special Lifetime Achievement award was also presented to Martin Tracy of the Framing Workshop for his ongoing business achievements.
The evening was sponsored by the Bath-based communications technology provider, Gradwell, who have been delivering award-winning calls, connectivity and Cloud services to local and international businesses since 1998.
The awards were presented by Gradwell CEO Nick Thompson who said: “As a local, business communications provider, Gradwell are delighted to support events like Ben’s Best of Bath Business Awards; accolades that acknowledge and celebrate our local business community.
“Bath is a city of innovation and enterprise, where larger and smaller ventures sit happily alongside one another. The independent business spirit is well and truly alive in our beautiful city.
“Congratulations from Gradwell to all the nominees and winners. Here’s to another successful year for Bath’s business community.”
Ben said: “Its been fantastic to support our excellent independent businesses here in Bath and the awards have had 88 entrants, many nominated by their customers.
“The 2017 Awards will open shortly with exciting new categories and I hope more local businesses will take the opportunity to participate.
“The awards evening this evening has really celebrated the best of the best in Bath and I am absolutely delighted to meet all the winners again here tonight, but also send my congratulations to everyone involved in running an independent business and thank them for their unique contribution to Bath”.
The awards were also sponsored by Colorworks the Printers and supported by the Federation of Small Businesses.