Leatherhead Business Awards winners announced at ceremony

THE best businesses in the Leatherhead area have been recognised at an awards ceremony.

The winners of the Leatherhead and District Business Awards were announced at a ceremony at St John's School.

Bookham-based mobile phone software developer Multizone won the top award, being named business of the year.

Director Angus Fox said: "We were completely shocked by the result if I'm honest. We were chuffed just to be one of the finalists for the technology and innovation category.

"When they read out that we were overall winners I nearly fell out of my chair."

He added: "Our work covers the whole country so we rarely get to surface and take note of the local community, so to be awarded like this comes as a great surprise."

"It has already had an impact in that everyone has a spring in their step.

"In the future it will no doubt help with negotiating with big businesses due to the prestige it gives us."

Ashtead-based running shop Run to Live celebrated a double success, picking up both the customer service award and the community award.

Owner Nicky Donbavand said: "We are delighted. It was a big shock, as having won before we fully expected not to win anything.

"We are really chuffed. You only really get feedback if it's negative in retail, so it's great to have positive recognition of the hard work we put in."

Andy Newbold, president of Leatherhead and District Chamber of Commerce, said: "We are very pleased to see that the local business community continues to be enthusiastic about the awards and we are delighted with the number and standard of entries.

"This year's awards have been voted for by the public via the website and we have received a huge 1,795 votes across all categories.

"Although companies are still experiencing difficult trading conditions, the quality of the award entries makes us optimistic for the future state of the local economy."

The scheme, which is in its third year, celebrates outstanding businesses and individuals from Leatherhead, Ashtead, Bookham, Effingham, Mickleham and Fetcham.

The awards, presented on May 23, were sponsored by the Leatherhead and District Chamber of Commerce, ExxonMobil, the Leatherhead Advertiser, St John's School, Riverbridge House Business Centre and Prowse.

The winners:

Business of the Year

Winner: Multizone

Runner-up: Leatherhead Youth Project

Customer Service Award

Winner: Run to Live

Runner-up: Barton’s Bookshop

Technology & Innovation Award

Winner: Todd Creative Services

Runner-up: Cisilion

Marketing Award

Winner: Openhouse Creative

Runner-up: Four Gables Fine Dining

Meeting Place Award

Winner: Denbies Wine Estate

Runner-up: Leatherhead Leisure Centre

Community Award

Winner: Run to Live

Runner-up: Poptastic