A HAMPSHIRE brewery raised its glass after being named Business of the Year at this year’s Winchester Business Excellence Awards.

Upham Brewery, based near Bishop's Waltham, impressed judges with its plans to open between 20-30 pubs by the end of 2015 creating in the region of 500 jobs for local people earning them the prestigious Denplan award.

A representative for the brewery said: “It’s an exciting time for everyone involved at Upham Brewery and we’re delighted to have our name on the Business of the Year award. The recognition and support of the business industry from the Winchester district is hugely important to us as we expand and we will continue to proudly champion the region as we do.”

This year saw a huge number of entries from across the district. Winchester Cathedral were awarded Winchester BID’s Commitment to the City Award; Woodhams Farm Day Nursery were presented with the Breeze’s Award for Service Excellence; and Josie’s, in Bishop’s Waltham, was given Hotel du Vin’s Winchester Food Experience Award.

Winchester City Council’s Carbon Smart Business of the Year Award went to Holiday Inn Winchester; the University of Winchester’s Entrepreneur of the Year Award was given to Steven Northam of SN Technologies Ltd; and The Natural Travel Collection was awarded 1-1 Recruitment’s Small Business of the Year Award.

The Business Collective handed their Corporate Social Responsibility Award to Osborne Property Services and the Wilkins Kennedy Large Business of the Year Award was presented to Lakesmere Ltd.

Stephen Gates, managing director for the main sponsor Denplan, said: “This was a great evening and a truly wonderful opportunity to celebrate all that is good about doing business in Winchester and the surrounding area. Each business nominated showed that they were being both customer-focused and innovative and the winners in each category should take real pride in their achievements.

“We hear that the UK economy is improving slowly and nights like this demonstrate the part that Winchester is playing in driving the economy forward.”

Friday’s ceremony (June 13) welcomed over 200 people to the Guildhall, all donning full-length dresses and jackets despite the warm weather.

Keith Redbourn, editor of the Hampshire Chronicle, said: “Once again our annual celebration of outstanding businesses and entrepreneurs was a great success, and goes to show what a special place the Winchester district is to do business.

“Our thanks go to all the category sponsors, and in particular principal sponsor, Denplan, and, of course, many congratulations to all those shortlisted, and especially to the winners on the night.”

Chris Turner, Winchester Business Improvement Development executive director, said: “It was a great evening and all the businesses short listed should be proud of their contributions to the Winchester economy. It was a time to celebrate some truly excellent businesses.”

Special thanks were given to Moxhams who supplied the audio and lighting equipment for the evening and to the Guildhall for sponsoring the drinks reception which was held in the King Charles Suite.

A full picture spread of the winners will be shown in the next Hampshire Business issue on July 3.

Winners:

THE WINCHESTER BID COMMITMENT TO THE CITY AWARD

Winchester Cathedral

THE BREEZE AWARD FOR SERVICE EXCELLENCE

Woodhams Farm Day Nursery

THE HOTEL DU VIN BEST WINCHESTER FOOD EXPERIENCE AWARD

Josie’s

THE WINCHESTER CITY COUNCIL CARBON SMART BUSINESS OF THE YEAR

Holiday Inn Winchester

THE UNIVERSITY OF WINCHESTER ENTREPRENEUR OF THE YEAR AWARD

Steven Northam – SN Technologies Ltd

1-1 RECRUITMENT SMALL BUSINESS OF THE YEAR AWARD

The Natural Travel Collection

THE BUSINESS COLLECTIVE CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY AWARD

Osborne Property Services Winchester

THE WILKINS KENNEDY LARGE BUSINESS OF THE YEAR AWARD

Lakesmere Ltd

THE DENPLAN BUSINESS OF THE YEAR AWARD

Upham Brewery