The second annual Archant London, North and West London Business Awards, were held on Friday at the world class Bobby Moore Suite at Wembley Stadium. Finalists were invited along to this glittering event, hosted by BBC Journalist, Louisa Preston, with gue

The second annual Archant London, North and West London Business Awards, were held on Friday at the world class Bobby Moore Suite at Wembley Stadium.

Finalists were invited along to this glittering event, hosted by BBC Journalist, Louisa Preston, with guest speaker, Dennis Turner, Chief Economist for HSBC, to hear who would be announced winner of these prestigious awards.

The event itself and entry process, was a welcome triumph, over what can only be described as 'challenging economic conditions' throughout 2009.

The popularity of the awards, and abundance of entries, was overwhelming, considering the tough trading conditions that small and medium sized businesses faced, and showed the true spirit with which these businesses have fought to survive.

Archant London spent six months promoting the event to local businesses, in an attempt to reward entrepreneurial skills and the passion for success that exists across north and west London.

Networking events were held so that businesses could come along and gain tips on how to produce a successful entry, and to hear from previous winners of awards who had benefited from award accolades.

An extensive marketing campaign followed, which included heavy promotion of the awards across Archant London's portfolio of local newspapers and web based media sites, as well as their biggest ever direct marketing campaign to more than 40,000 local businesses.

The results speak for themselves. A record number of quality entries were received from all manner of local businesses. From restaurants, to graphic design companies, and from one man bands, to local businesses employing in excess of 00 people.

The time and effort that was put into compiling entries was outstanding, and Archant London and headline sponsor, HSBC, were delighted with the response.

Each of the 5 winners, walked away with not only the accolade of being some of the best businesses in the area, but Archant London put up a prize fund of �00,000 to be shared equally amongst all the winners.

The prize, which can be spent on marketing and advertising campaigns with Archant London, re-enforced Archant's commitment to local businesses, and will no doubt come at a time when some businesses are faced with the threat of having to review marketing budgets.

As well as the prize from Archant, Warrick Kernes who won the Outstanding Young Person category also walked away with two tickets to the MOBO awards courtesy of MOBO.

Lucky Voice, Kareoke specialists also donated tickets to their private karaoke pods, to Pilates Arts Physiotherapy winners of the Growth Business category.

For further information please contact Archant London Marketing department on 020 8477 3954 or email marketing.enquires@archant. co.uk

Winners

Business Person Award - Winona Holl - Winona's Fresh Organic

Apprentice Award - Stacey Tear - British Gas

Business of the Year Award - The Local Epiucurean (Thorntons Budget)

Community Award - Artburst Ltd

Growth Business Award - Pilates Art Physiotherapy

New Business/Product Award - Russell Automotive, Kingsbury Trading Estate

Marketing Award - Little Bay

Diversity Award - Lakehouse

Green Business Award - Abby Couriers

Young Person Award - Warrick Kernes - Action Cameras, Park Royal Business Centre

Training & Staff Development Award - Azad Ayub

Retailer Award - Paul UK Ltd

Innovation Award - My Coffee Stop

Best Use of Technology Award - Spoonfed Media

Customer Service Award - Lords Builders & Decorators Merchant, Westbourne Grove