'Oscars' night for businesses

Telford waste removal and drainage specialist SP Holding was celebrating today after being crowned Shropshire's Company of the Year 2009 at an awards ceremony last night.

The Horsehay-based company took the top prize at the county's business "Oscars" in front of an audience of more than 330 people at the Park Inn in Telford.

Managing director Steve Holding was presented with the award by Shropshire Council's Peter Nutting and Telford & Wrekin Council's Andrew Eade.

See also - Gerald Ratner and THAT comment . . .

See our awards photo gallery below

Plus: Businesses celebrated at annual awards

The company, which employs more than 60 people, was honoured for its commitment to staff, excellent customer service and impressive growth, with turnover increasing from £4.6 million in 2007 to £7.6 million in 2008 despite the economic downturn.

Other top businesses picking up awards included the new Nom Dairy UK in Donnington, Cooking Marvellous in Shrewsbury and the Wrekin Housing Trust.

The new Manufacturing Award was picked up by Telford's Eurofilm Extrusions.

The winner of the Shropshire Star's Dragons Den-style Star Idea competition was also decided last night, with guests seeing a video report on the three finalists before the result of three weeks of online voting was announced.

Picking up a cash prize of £4,000 plus priceless business support was Kerry Swinton, of beanbag toy company Teeny Beanies.

Guest speaker for the evening Gerald Ratner entertained the audience.