FRIDAY night saw glitz and conviviality in bountiful supply at Cowes Yacht Haven, as the eighth annual Isle of Wight Chamber of Commerce Business Awards took place.

Hosted by actor and comedian Colin Carmichael — best known for roles in Black Mirror, Hot Fuzz and the 118-118 adverts — the evening kicked off with a three-course dinner followed by a WightAid auction presented by Chamber chief executive Steven Holbrook.

Colin said: “It seems like there are exciting things happening on the Isle of Wight.

"I think Vestas is an absolutely brilliant company, and overall the Island seems to be in safe hands, economically speaking, with these businesses flourishing.

“I feel privileged to have been invited to these awards.

"I moved to the Island from Essex as a youngster, wearing white socks and listening to Wham, after a while on the Isle I organically became who I wanted to be.

“The love and embrace the Isle of Wight gives to people is unique, it’s a special place.”

See our picture gallery online later in the week, and across four pages in Friday's County Press.

The auction included prizes donated by local businesses 1Leisure, the Royal Hotel, Vectis Ventures, JR Zone, W Hurst and Son, and The Hut, raising vital funds for WightAid, which supports Island projects and community groups.

In total 17 award categories were included, with three further special awards for overall contribution, and additional certificates given to other highly commended companies.

The Garlic Farm’s night progressed with relish, as the Newchurch-based culinary establishment scooped three gongs for their ongoing excellence.

Managing director, Natasha Edwards, said: “We are very proud to win these awards and put them on display — we might even build a plinth for them.

“We’ve been doing a lot of new events this year, and now have five luxury yurts to enhance our accommodation experience.

“We are also offering an increased number of activities for visitors, including farm and nature trail walks, with access to a beautiful local countryside.

“This has been a wonderful night for us, and we are so happy to be recognised by the Chamber of Commerce.”

One of the night’s standing ovations was reserved for Mountbatten, which won the Employer of the Year award.

Their director of human resources, John Kempton, said: “We’re now supporting nearly 1,500 people who face living with death, dying and bereavement across the Island.

"It is only thanks to the amazing local support we receive that we can continue to respond to the need out there.”

Sustainable energy group, MHI Vestas, was awarded Business of the Year, replete with a stirring video package to accompany them to the stage for the night’s final honour.

James Luter, director of production with the group, said: “When we started four years ago we weren’t sure where this was going to end up.

"We now employ 750 people on the Isle of Wight. It’s a fantastic achievement really, and to be awarded the best business here is the result of a team effort.”

Not only did the winners collect trophies, they were also presented with a bottle of Mermaid Gin, courtesy of one of the event sponsors, the Isle of Wight Distillery.

Mermaid Gin additionally designed a bumper-sized bottle containing a luge slide where people could consume a small amount of the spirit as it ran through the interior, with hoardes of attendees queueing up after the awards to take their best shot.

Live music from four-piece covers band Jukebox concluded the evening, and goodie bags included items from Wightlink, Liz Earle and Wight Label, plus vouchers from companies involved on the night.

RESULTS

Start Up Business of the Year, sponsored by PC Consultants — Island VetCare; the Morris Barton Apprenticeship Award, sponsored by Christopher Scott —

The Seaview Hotel; Retailer Award, sponsored by NFU Mutual — the Garlic Farm; Hospitality Business Award, sponsored by Wightlink — Caffe Isola, highly commended — the Royal Hotel; Manufacturing Business of the Year Award, sponsored by WightFibre — MHI Vestas, highly commended — IFPL; Technology and Innovation Award, sponsored by Lifeline Alarms — Gurit, highly commended — the Seaview Hotel, Wight Computers; Excellence in Customer Service Award, Micro Business, sponsored by Hovertravel — Hillbans Pest Control, highly commended — BeCalmed; Business in the Community Award, sponsored by Glanvilles Damant — UKSA, highly commended — Southern Co-op Retail, Vectis Radio CIC; Tourism Business Award, sponsored by Visit Isle of Wight — the Garlic Farm; Excellence in Customer Service Award, Small Business, sponsored by Hillbans Pest Control — the Royal Hotel; Green Initiative Award, sponsored by IFPL — Gurit, highly commended — Red Funnel; Growth Business Award, sponsored by Brightbulb Design — WRS Systems, highly commended MHI Vestas; Marketing and PR Award, sponsored by IW County Press — the Garlic Farm, highly commended — Visit IW;

Employer of the Year Award, sponsored by GKN Aerospace Cowes — Mountbatten, highly commended — WightFibre; International Business Award, sponsored by Red Funnel — IFPL, highly commended — IW College; Micro Business of the Year Award, sponsored by Gurit — Island Echo, highly commended — Hillbans Pest Control; Small Business Award, sponsored by Liz Earle — the Tomato Stall, highly commended — Island Roasted; IW Chamber Member of the Year — Wight Computers; IW Chamber President’s Cup for Outstanding Contribution — WRS Systems; IW Chamber Business of the Year — MHI Vestas.

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