The owners of an Epsom home care provider were left ‘absolutely chuffed and honoured’ to be named the best overall business in Epsom and Ewell on Thursday night.
The Epsom and Ewell Business Excellence Awards, which took place at the University for the Creative Arts, Epsom, in Ashley Road, were attended by dozens of business and community leaders who eagerly packed into the auditorium to learn who had won the coveted prizes.
Picking up the top gong was Home Instead Senior Care, which provides home care for elderly people - and support for dementia sufferers - in and around Epsom.
Paul and Jill Tame show off their award for best overall business
Paul Tame, who owns Home Instead with wife Jill, said: "It means an awful lot to us to receive this award - we’re really, really pleased.
"This isn’t just about us; we’ve got a really fantastic team who have helped us grow since we started five years ago.
"We’ve worked very hard and it’s an emotional journey for everyone involved."
The overall award was sponsored by the Epsom Guardian, whose editorial team of Becky Middleton, Craig Richard and Ben Weich were there to rub elbows with Epsom’s finest amid a sea of canapés and champagne.
The Epsom Guardian's Ben Weich and Becky waste no time getting stuck in to the canapés
Also represented on the night were MP Chris Grayling’s chosen charity for 2015, My Time for Carers, who work with young people who care for parents.
A student scheme to design t-shirts saw youngsters man a stall selling them on the night.
Charity t-shirts were sold on the night, left to right: Natalie Olsen, 15, Barbara Watts, chair of My Time for Carers, MP Chris Grayling and Zoe Olsen
Also among the winners was Bike Beans Cycle Cafe, in Rectory Lane, Ashtead, which won the award for the best website and use of social media.
Owner Jamie Chisholm said: "That a man of 48 years of age can win an award for social media is fantastic, especially given where I was two years ago.
"It’s made such a difference to my business - especially a local community cafe, because we really need things like Facebook to interact with customers."
Bike Beans Cycle Cafe owner Jamie Chisholm with his award for best website and use of social media
The most popular winners on the night were Geoff and Jenny Masters from toy shop Masters of Epsom, who won Best Business Personality.
Mr Masters said: "It is such a thrill. We didn’t know anything about it. We just got an email, and we thought it would just be a nice evening.
"We never thought we would win.
"We’ve been in Tattenham Corner since 1978 and I’m glad the reaction of the public has been so good."
Popular winners Geoff and Jenny Masters with their Best Business Personality award
Mr Grayling said: "The nice thing is for Geoff and Jenny Masters - they’re a local institution.
I’ve got lots of favourites. We’ve had some great winners and I wouldn’t want to single out just one."
Left to right: Jessica Rea, Joseph Squire and Irene Compton
Another hotly-contested award was the young entrepreneur award, which went to Lucie Oliver, of hair, makeup and beauty business Dolly Goes Dancing.
She said: "It’s amazing to get this award.
"I’ve grown up in this area, I went to Rosebery School and so it’s great to be recognised for my work in this community.
"It’s a very tight-knit place - I’d say I personally know 90 per cent of my customers. It’s a great place to open a business."
The full list of winners:
Best New Business: Country Clothing and Store
Best Business for Customer Service: B. Radford and Sons
Best for Commitment to the Community: Home Instead Senior Care
Best Business Personality: Geoff and Jenny Masters
Best Young Entrepreneur: Lucie Oliver
Best Business in Epsom and Epsom Downs: Everest Spice
Best Business in Ewell and Stoneleigh: All Things Nice
Best Business in Ashtead: Jackie Quinn Estate Agents
Best Website or Use of Social Media: Bike Beans Cycle Cafe
Best Overall Business: Home Instead Senior Care
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