The East Anglian Daily Times Business Awards are BACK for 2024 following a launch party on Thursday (February 1) at the home of one of last year's winners.
The sponsors of this year’s awards, winners from 2023 and new contenders met at The Suffolk Jungle Room at The Plough in Wissett, near Halesworth and were soon getting in the mood for another big celebration of Suffolk businesses in July at Kesgrave Hall.
The Suffolk Jungle Room - which consists of two high end café and plant shops, with the other in Metfield, near Harleston - won Small Business of the Year in 2023 and kindly agreed to host the event where guests were treated to delicious pastries and a warm welcome.
Samantha Coe, who owns the Suffolk Jungle Room with partner Tony Prince, said winning the award had been a great boost for the team last year and encouraged others to enter before the closing date in March.
"Even filling out the form was a valuable experience," Samantha said. "Every day is so busy in hospitality, so it's good to take time to reflect on what you have achieved. We were genuinely shocked that we won but it was lovely for our hard-working team, without whom none of what we do would be possible."
She added: ‘The connections we’ve made, the network we’ve become a part of, is just invaluable. We can't say enough how positive the win has been for us’.
Each year, these awards, hosted in association with the East Anglian Daily Times, celebrate Suffolk businesses making a difference in the local economy and putting Suffolk on the map.
This year's headline sponsors are Suffolk Chamber of Commerce and Sizewell C.
Category sponsors include Waddington Brown, Larking Gowen, Ashtons Legal, Greater Anglia and Churchmanor Estates.
East Anglian Daily Times editor Liz Nice said the EADT Business Awards were a favourite of hers.
"It's always so much fun," she said, "And it strikes me each year how much our local businesses really care about serving their communities."
This year's theme is sustainability and from Small Business of the Year, Start Up of the Year and top Customer Excellence, there is a category to suit every local business.
If your business would like to enter this years awards, take a look at all the available categories and the entry form at www.EADTbusinessawards.co.uk
Entries will close at midnight on Sunday March 17.
The event will take place at Kesgrave Hall on July 4 and will mark 150 years of the East Anglian Daily Times serving the people of Suffolk.
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