An independent motor parts supplier from Suffolk and a farm shop in Essex have been named among the winners in the East Anglia regional round of the FSB & Worldpay UK Business Awards for 2017.
The awards, now in their fourth year, are open to all businesses with fewer than 250 employees, including self-employed people and micro businesses, and aim to recognise the vital contribution of smaller firms to the UK’s economy and culture.
Among the regional winners is Britcar (UK) Ltd, based on the Riverside Industrial Park in Ipswich, which won the Online Business of the Year category.
Since its launch in 2006, Britcar has become one of the country’s leading independent Land Rover parts specialists. Visitors to its website are able to browse more than 300,000 parts and accessories, with its customers ranging from local hobbyists to large overseas workshops.
Another winner was O’Boyle And Spencer Ltd, the company behind Spencer’s Farm Shop at Wickham St Paul, near Halstead, which claimed the regional Family Business of the Year title.
The business began as a fruit farm in 1973 with the farm shop opening in 2000 and a coffee shop being added in 2010. Since March last year, the shop has been run by Jenny Spencer, the third generation of the family to be involved, with business partner Jo O’Boyle.
Other regional winners in the East included 3D Wines from Boston, Lincolnshire (Micro Business of the Year), Catherine Gray Origami, Forncett St Peter, Norfolk (Ethical Business of the Year), Values Training Services, Watton, Norfolk (Best Start-up), ARCH Gardening, Letchworth, Herts (Community Business of the Year), and Software for People, Hitchin, Herts (Business and Product Innovation).
Category winners from a total of 11 UK nations and regions have been selected by a panel of representatives from the small business sector from across the country.
They now go forward to judging for the national awards, which winners of which are due to be announced at during a ceremony at Shakespeare’s Globe in London on May 10.
Mike Cherry, UK chairman of the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB), said: “Well done to all these regional winners and to all the smaller businesses who contribute so much to our nations’ and regions’ characters and economies.
“This year’s entries were all of the highest standard and were reflective of the diverse and strong small business culture across the UK.”
James Frost, chief marketing and commercial officer at Worldpay UK, added: “Small businesses will continue to help drive the UK economy through both their innovation and expansion.
“It’s critical, especially in these uncertain times, that we support and recognise their contribution to the national economic growth and applaud the hard work and commitment that goes into running your own business.”
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