IN PICTURES: Boston Business Awards 2018

Business people from a wide range of sectors gathered at Hubbert’s Bridge Community Centre on Friday evening to be honoured by the paper for their contribution to the area.

They came from retail, hospitality, leisure, tourism, travel, the arts, media, education, and beyond; a diverse selection, but one united in their dedication to their industries.

Awards were presented across 11 categories, with the shortlist produced by an independent panel of judges based on nominations from members of the public and the team at the Standard.

The headline award of Business of the Year went to Lincs Windows & Doors, based on the Boston Business Centre, in Norfolk Street.

It was one of two awards on the evening for the business, with owner Adam Cartwright also taking the title of Young Achiever/Entrepreneur of the Year.

Speaking to the Standard after the event he said: “I was delighted and proud to win. It’s nice that hard work has been recognised.”

Adam said he lost his job a couple of years ago and started up his own business from his garage.

“I’m now working flat-out and I’ve got five local lads working for me. I’d like to say thanks to all my staff and customers.”

The first award on the evening, though, was Best New Business Award/One To Watch.

Open to enterprises set up in the last 18 months, it went to the Fresh Kicks footwear cleaning company which proved an instant hit when it launched in 2017.

The Customer Service Award went Nicola Burrell of Mortgage Solutions; a familiar name, Nicola took the Customer Care Award in the 2017 Boston Business Awards.

The Employee or Team of the Year Award went to Carolynn Fletcher, manager of Swineshead Pre-school Centre.

Carolynn has numerous national accolades to her name, including twice being listed among the top five most inspirational people in UK child care.

The Independent Retailer of the Year Award went to home furnishings business Cammacks.

Judges, there, were looking for such qualities as first-class customer service and innovation.

Some of Boston’s best-known attractions made up the Hospitality, Leisure and Tourism Award category.

In the end, perhaps the most iconic one of them all took the title, St Botolph’s Church, helped by the spectacular Festival of Remembrance it held in the run-up to Armistice Sunday this year.

“Wow - we did it - well done Team Stump,” the team from the church told its followers on Facebook.

The Best Place to Eat or Drink Award went to Ye Olde Red Lion, in Bicker, seeing recognition paid to the very edge of the borough.

The White Hart Hotel, in Boston, which was nominated in the category won by Ye Olde Red Lion, which took home the Food and Farming Excellence Award.

This came in light of its innovative partnership with the Willoughby Road Allotment Association.

The Business Person of the Year Award was won by Nina Clarke, of Babyballet, with judges impressed by the business’ award success on the national level of its charity work, how it has built up the Babyballet brand, and plans for continued growth.

But it was not just businesses recognised on the evening, for in The Community/Business Achievement category Boston in Bloom took the title.

This award was open to a group/business or business person that has made an outstanding or sustained contribution to Boston.

This year, Boston in Bloom took its fourth Gold Award in the East Midlands In Bloom competition.

Alison Fairman, chairman of Boston In Bloom, said: “We are delighted to get this award. It’s a vindication of all the work the Boston in Bloom team has put in this year.

“I’d like to thank the whole team. It’s a partnership effort with so many different organisations; we work with businesses and sponsors, and their help makes all the difference.”

* Editor Mark Edwards said: “Our awards recognise business people and companies who fly the flag for local business.

“They create jobs and provide a great boost to the local economy.

“Their skill and dedication and that of others like them, helps to keep the local economy diverse and vibrant. We all owe them our thanks and we are delighted to be able to recognise them at our awards.

The roll of honour:

HOSPITALITY LEISURE & TOURISM AWARD

* St Botoloph’s Church - WINNER

* Blackfriars Theatre and Art Centre

* The Gliderdrome

* Pescod Square Shopping Centre

COMMUNITY/BUSINESS ENVIRONMENTAL ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

* Boston In Bloom - WINNER

* Ringrose Law

* Baby Ballet

BEST PLACE TO EAT AND/OR DRINK

* Ye Olde Red Lion, Bicker- WINNER

* White Hart Hotel, Boston

* Ropers Arms

YOUNG ACHIEVER/ENTREPRENEUR OF THE YEAR

* Adam Cartwright - Lincs Windows & Doors - WINNER

* Nina Clarke - Baby Ballet

* Lucy Dillamore - Lucy Dillamore Illustrations

INDEPENDENT RETAILER OF THE YEAR

* Cammacks - WINNER

* Wilcox & Carter

BEST NEW BUSINESS/ONE TO WATCH

* Fresh Kicks - WINNER

* Games Central

CUSTOMER CARE

* Nicola Burrell Mortgage Solutions - WINNER

* Departure Lounge

* Clean 143

* 107 Endeavour FM

* Baby Ballet

EMPLOYEE/TEAM OF THE YEAR

* Carolyn Fletcher - Swineshead Pre-School - WINNER

* Departure Lounge

* Turtle Tots

FOOD & FARMING EXCELLENCE

* The White Hart Hotel, Boston - WINNER

* Costcutter, Kirton

BUSINESS PERSON OF THE YEAR

- Nina Clarke - Baby Ballet

BUSINESS OF THE YEAR

* Lincs Windows & Doors

The sponsors were:

* Allison Homes 
* Boston West Golf Club
* Chattertons Solicitors
* Oldrids & Downtown Boston