THE Weymouth and Portland Business Awards were handed out at a live event which was also streamed online.
More than 90 online entries were received, with some coming from customer nominations and some from the businesses themselves.
They were a judged by a group of online independent judges.
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The ceremony took place at the National Sailing Academy on Portland, with streaming ensuring the widest possible audience.
Weymouth restaurant Les Enfant Terribles came away with the Overall Business of the Year title.
The category winners were as follows.
Health, beauty and fitness: Morgan Brown
Cafe, pub and hospitality: Billy Winters
Independent business: Gunz Barbers
Green business: SW Refills
New business of the year: Osprey Holiday Cottages
Best service provider: Dorset Trade Skills
Restaurant of the year: Les Enfants Terribles
Best client service: Happy Home Mortgages
Hotel and accommodation award: Channel View Guest House
Tourism Business Award: Nothe Fort
Business Innovation Award: Weymouth Bay Rib Charters
Nigel Reeve, of the awards’ organiser Marketing West Events, said: “We took the decision of still maintaining the previous level of Covid restrictions. It certainly didn’t affect the day and actually made everyone feel more comfortable.
“The object of the awards was to promote the range and quality of local businesses, and we achieved that. There were a wide range of entries, with many keeping closely to the entry guidelines available to all entrants. In many cases the voting was very close which shows the quality of the entries.
“Something we heard before and during the awards was, ‘Even with the restrictions, to be able to see people in person again is key to business.’ Our view is we should never underestimate the importance of networking, even if at a distance.”
“The plan is to make these awards an annual event so anyone who wasn’t a winner this year is encouraged to enter again next year.”
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