Winners of Winchester Business Excellence Awards 2021

A celebration of sparkling customer service, innovation and hard work of businesses in the Winchester District, took place at the University of Winchester on September 2.

The awards were organised in partnership by the Hampshire Chronicle, Hampshire Chamber of Commerce and Winchester BID and were kindly sponsored by Dutton Gregory, Paris Smith, University of Winchester, Winchester BID and Winchester City Council who all joined together to celebrate the success of all the finalists and announce the overall winners.

Paul Spencer, executive director of the BID said: "It was wonderful to be able to host a live in-person awards ceremony this year with our partner organisers and the sponsors of the awards. After needing to move the ceremony online last year it was really special be able to celebrate the achievements of Winchester businesses and reward them for their commitment to excellence at the event this year.

"Congratulations from all at Winchester BID to the nominees and finalists, and special congratulations to the award winners."

The 2021 winners are:

Business Leader Award

James Poore – JPLD

Winchester Business Excellence Awards 2021. Winner of the Business Leader Award James Poore – JPLD

Charity Award Award

Winchester Churches Nightshelter

“We are extremely moved to have won this award. The last 18 months have been full of challenges and change as we have adapted in the pandemic. Our goal throughout has been to ensure that our vital support could continue, we achieved this and much more. I would like to thank our board, every member of staff, all our volunteers and our loyal and supportive local community for making this possible,” said Michèle Price, Chief Executive

Winchester Business Excellence Awards 2021. Winner of the Charity Award Award Winchester Churches Nightshelter.

Digital Innovation Award

The Gurkha Museum

A spokesperson said: "Like most organisations we were hit hard by the pandemic when we closed our doors to visitors. The lockdowns however enabled us to think outside the box on how we communicate and engage with existing and new audiences. We are thrilled our steps in digital development and engagement have been recognised and honoured to be a winner of a Winchester Business Excellence Award."

Winchester Business Excellence Awards 2021. Winner of the Digital Innovation Award The Gurkha Museum.

Large Business Award

Ridge and Partners LLP

Winchester Business Excellence Awards 2021. Winner of the Large Business Award Ridge and Partners LLP.

New Business Award

Earthian Zero Waste Shop

Winchester Business Excellence Awards 2021. Winner of the New Business Award Earthian Zero Waste Shop

Service Excellence Award

Arcana Hair and Beauty

Winchester Business Excellence Awards 2021. Winner of the Service Excellence Award Arcana Hair and Beauty.

SME/Independent Business Award

Toscanaccio

Winchester Business Excellence Awards 2021. Winner of the SME/Independent Business Award Toscanaccio.

Social Enterprise Award

Unit 12 CIC

Winchester Business Excellence Awards 2021. Winner of the Social Enterprise Award Unit 12 CIC

Sustainable Business Award

Earthian Zero Waste Shop

Business Of The Year Award

Ridge and Partners LLP

The Milenium Egg was presented to Robert Shields.

Winchester Business Excellence Awards 2021. Winner of the Millennium egg for 2021 Robert Shields pictured with his wife Ruth.

Speaking on Ridge's two awards, Partner Richard Hand said: "Ridge is delighted to have won the Large Business category and even more so to also have been recognised with the Overall Best Business. We continue to strive to be the best at all that we do and to be the South Coast’s property and construction consultant of choice.

"We go from strength to strength with ambitious growth plans from our Winchester home. I am incredibly proud of my team, who have all worked tirelessly and with incredible agility over a very challenging period in world history."