Ricardo claims hat-trick at Worthing Business Awards 2016

The Adur and Worthing Business Awards, held annually, celebrates business excellence within the circulation of the Worthing Herald.

Now in their sixth year, the awards are organised by JP South Events.

The black tie awards ceremony kicked off at 6.30pm and was presented by BBC One Show presenter, Nick Wallis and the ceremony was introduced by Blaise Tapp, communities content editor of Sussex Newspapers, which publishes the Herald.

Guests enjoyed a drinks reception and three-course meal before the awards were presented.

Ricardo scooped a hat-trick of awards including the Overall Business of the Year and said they were ‘delighted’ to have won the trio of awards, which ‘contribute to people’s work and efforts in the business’.

The first award of the night was for Customer Service and went to electrical wholesaler and DIY supplier, Gardner and Scardifield.

The award was sponsored by Worthing and Adur Chamber and was presented by Tina Tilly, from Worthing and Adur Chamber.

The winner needed to ‘demonstrate a creative and dedicated approach to customer service and demonstrate that going that extra mile for customers is integral to positive business’.

Managing director from Gardner and Scardifield, Nick Neale, said he was ‘surprised’ to have won and that it was the company’s first award at the annual ceremony.

“It is our first time here and it is very well organised and well attended,” he added.

Henry House claimed the Highly Commended award in the category.

The Best Start-Up award went to Bespoke You Beauty Retreat, who are based in Broadwater, Worthing.

The award was sponsored by Adur and Worthing Council and was presented by councillor’s, Bryan Turner and Brian Boggis.

When presenting the award, Nick spoke of the company’s ethos and said it is ‘allowing the customer to escape the stresses of daily life’.

He also said the beauty team have been involved in helping raise money for Worthing Churches Homeless Projects and said judges said it is ‘nice to see a new business who are happy to give back to the local community’.

Judges were looking for a new company who has ‘caught the imagination of the local community’ in Adur and Worthing.

Go Gecko claimed the Highly Commended award in the category.

The third award was for Innovation and went to Ricardo, who claimed overall business of the year at the end of the night.

The global engineering and environmental consultancy is based in Shoreham.

The award was sponsored by Pixel by Pixel and was presented by managing director, Chris Painter.

The winner needed to show an ‘adaption to change’, or who had ‘utilised an innovative idea in order to be a successful business’.

The Small Business award went to Bloomfield Digital, based in Shoreham, and judges said the company ‘ensure customers have the best available digital media’ and place importance upon ‘building strong relationships with customers’ and ‘delivering what they promise’.

The award was sponsored by Adur and Worthing Partnership and was presented by the chairman, Andrew Swayne.

Judges were looking for a business with up to nine employees, capable of producing a ‘quality product’ whilst remaining ‘committed to great client/customer service’.

Business partners, Martin and Ollie Bloomfield were very happy to have won the award and said they have had ‘great support from the community’ and hope the award will ‘increase the profile of the business’.

Momentum Business Support claimed the Highly Commended award in the category.

The fifth award of the night was Green Business and went to The Nature Shop and judges said the Worthing-based online retailer are ‘environmentally friendly’, which is one of the ‘main driving forces in business’.

The award was sponsored by Sussex Hamper Company and was presented by Nick Sandford.

Managing director, Mel Piagesti, said it felt ‘fabulous’ to have won the award and ‘proves all the stress and hard work of running a small business is worth it’.

She added: “It gives you great encouragement when you win an award like this’.

Perch Lancing Beach claimed the Highly Commended award in the category.

The Training and Development award was presented by David Carter, manager from sponsor ETI Commercial.

Worthing-based, PEP the Printers claimed the award and judges were impressed to learn that staff productivity, morale and skillsets have ‘all improved’ at the business.

The winner needed to demonstrate a ‘commitment to encouraging and motivating their workforce’.

Director of the business, Mark Landon, said it was their first award and it is a ‘great honour to be recognised’.

The next award was Hospitality, Tourism and Leisure and went to Worthing Food and Festival.

The award was sponsored by Final Touch and was presented by Kelly Yates.

The Worthing Food and Drink Festival was held for the fifth time this September and attracted 15,000 people.

Judges said the festival not only brings people into Worthing for the first time, but is a way of ‘promoting the town all year round for its fantastic food and drink offer’.

The winner of the category needed to demonstrate a contribution to the local area by making the community stand out.

Chris Spratt, chairman of the Worthing Town Initiative, said he felt ‘thrilled’ to have won the award’ and it was all down to the ‘huge efforts by people who take part’.

Worthing WOW Festival claimed the Highly Commended award in the category.

The Medium Business award went to Investment Solutions Wealth Management, based in Worthing.

Nick said the judges were ‘very impressed’ by the business, who had a record-breaking year in 2015.

The award was sponsored by Bennett Griffin and was presented by Ian Macara.

The winner needed to demonstrate an ‘innovative ability to identify market opportunities’.