Shropshire Business Awards celebrate best in county - VIDEO

The great and the good of Shropshire’s business community came together to celebrate success in commerce and industry over the last year.

The Shropshire Business Awards 2012, held at Telford’s International Centre on Friday night, saw more than 600 people gather to recognise the top businesses in the county.

Oswestry-based Natural Welsh Water scooped the top prize, while Whitchurch haulier Grocontinental picked up two gongs.

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The event also saw a rousing speech from Olympic athlete Derek Redmond, an appearance by two members of Shrewsbury Town FC’s board to celebrate the club’s promotion from League 2, and a speech on the position of the Chamber of Commerce in its 50th year by president John Clayton.

Speaking afterwards, he said: “We have everything to celebrate in this county, and the showcasing of the businesses all striving for excellence was very uplifting, and demonstrates the positivity in the Chamber, and how we can help businesses to network, gel and have the confidence in each other and the local economy.

“It’s an unfinished job from our perspective, and the times today are just as exciting with the roll-out of Southwater as when the Chamber was first set up.

“Nobody owes us a living or needs to live here, but the Chamber’s role is to help businesses thrive and those that come will then help their communities.”

Mr Clayton also presented Mike Lowe, a founding member of the chamber, with a gift to mark the 50th anniversary celebrations.

He also recognised the Shropshire Star’s role in promoting the county, noting that the paper celebrates its own half century in 2014.

Video by Yarrington