Business owners' delight at being on shortlist for Fenland Business Awards
Local business owners have been speaking of their joy after being named among the shortlisted finalists for our prestigious Fenland Business Awards.
News of those chosen as finalists in each category last week prompted many firms to immediately take to social media to express their delight on being chosen by judges from all the truly worthy nominees - it was a really difficult job to narrow the field to just two or three for the shortlist.
Among those over the moon to discover they are in the running for an award is Jamie Coombs from March Fast Fit and Servicing.
Jamie who launched his own garage business just months before the pandemic hit in 2020 was probably one of the most surprised to find himself on the shortlist - mainly because he did not enter the awards himself.
He said: “I really couldn’t believe it when I heard we had been shortlisted because we didn’t put the entry in ourselves - someone else did it for us and that makes it extra special.
“To be honest I already feel like a winner knowing someone out there believes my garage is worthy of a nomination. It is a fantastic present for our third anniversary which was on Friday (3). I know there are a lot of really worthy winners out there, but I have already won just by someone appreciating what we do and the attitude we have, which is to treat everyone with kindness and respect.”
His feelings were mirrored by Rachel Green who along with a band of eight dedicated volunteers runs the Fenland Families and Baby Bank in Wisbech.
Rachel said: “We feel really honoured to have been shortlisted. I feel especially pleased for the team who put in so much time and effort to keep the bank running. Being shortlisted is a recognition of that hardwork, it doesn’t matter if we don’t win, because we already feel like winners.
“In fact everyone who has been nominated, whether they have been shortlisted or not are winners in my book.”
Finally Lauren Robson from The Local Sweet Cart Company said: “For once I’m a little speechless! I can’t quite believe, that this morning I received an email to say that The Local Sweet Cart Company is a finalist in the Fenland Business Awards, for not just one category but two.
“This is incredible and I’m absolutely over the moon, what a humongous step for my little business.
“The biggest thank you to you, my wonderful customers for always sticking with me! Roll on the awards ceremony at the end of March.”
Each finalist will now be contacted by their category’s judge who will arrange an appointment to visit and find out more about each company in a 30 minute interview.
Once they have visited each of their finalists the judges will then have the tricky task of picking a winner. The winners will be announced at a glitzy awards ceremony being held at March Braza Club on Friday March 31.
The awards are being brought to you by Iliffe Media, publishers of the Fenland Citizen, and are the first to be organised by us.
Each finalist will be given two free tickets per business for our gala awards night, which is a black-tie affair with a three-course dinner.
They will also have the opportunity to purchase extra tickets for colleagues, friends and family.
Top accountancy firm Whitings LLP has already been announced as the headline sponsor for this event,which will kick-off at 6.30pm with a drinks reception sponsored by our associate sponsor, broadband provider, UPP, while the tables for the delicious three-course gala dinner, which starts at 7pm, are sponsored by EnriCH₄ Ltd (BioteCH).
The awards ceremony will commence at around 9pm with the announcement of all our 2023 winners.
Gary Robinson from Paragon Motors joined our line up of judges and he will be judging the Customer Care category.
There are 10 categories carrying awards for 2023.
Shortlisted in the Apprentice/Trainee of the Year are: Brooke Reeves from Swann Edwards Architecture and Harry Turner from Tydd St Giles Golf and Country Club.
Shortlisted in the Best New Start-Up are: March Fast Fit and Servicing, Sizzler Barbeque Caterers and the Local Sweet Cart Company.
Shortlisted in the Best Social Enterprise are: FACT Community Transport, Fenland Families and Baby Bank, RKA Kickboxing Academy.
Shortlisted in the Business Innovation (sponsored by Mapus-Smith& Lemmon) are: Build A Brand, Eastern Promise, The Secret Garden Touring Park.
Shortlisted in the Business of the Year (sponsored by Fraser Dawbarns LLP) are: Build A Brand, Goldstar Metal Traders and Swann Edwards Architecture.
Shortlisted in the Businessperson of the Year (sponsored by Stephenson Smart) are: Gemma Alexander of Build A Brand and Denise’s Pre-Loved Baby Boutique.
Shortlisted in the Customer Care Category (sponsored by Paragon Motors) are: Fenland Families and Baby Bank, March Fast Fit and Servicing and The Local Sweet Cart Company.
Shortlisted in the Employee of the Year are: Joann Browne of Hourglass Escapes Ltd, Joanna Ring of Abtec 4 Abrasives and Lara Kingswell of Rest Assured Homecare Ltd.
Shortlisted in the Environmental Champion are:Gaea’s Soul and Goldstar Metal Traders.
Shortlisted in the Independent Retailer of the Year are: Gaea’s Soul, Harrison Coley Opticians and Wisbech Gun and Tackle.
Shortlisted in the Readers’ Choice Award (voted for by Fenland Citizen readers) are: RKA Kickboxing Academy, Sizzlers Barbeque Caterers and the Secret Garden Touring Park.
The judges, as a panel, will decide on a recipient for the Judge’s Prestige Award. This is a special award given by headline sponsors, Whitings LLP, in recognition of overall achievement and will be presented to one of the finalists on the night. All finalists will be considered for this award, regardless of whether or not they are category winners.
