Crewe Market Hall was among the businesses celebrating success at a local awards event.

The venue has earned many plaudits after it was revamped into a successful food and entertainment venue when it reopened in May 2021. Its success in attracting people back into Crewe's town centre earned it the Ambassador of the Year award in South Cheshire Chamber of Commerce's 25th Anniversary Business Awards.

The ceremony at Reaseheath College, compered by Crewe Market Hall Manager Gary Johnson and Neil Davies of Cat FM, focused on local businesses who have overcome challenges to succeed through creativity and goodwill to the community.

A sell-out audience of local companies and charities heard how finalists, many still reeling over the difficulties of the Covid pandemic, had ploughed resources into customer service and staff welfare.

Chamber Chair Dr Diane Wright said: "So much has changed since we began the awards and indeed in the last few years. We have left the European Union and had a global pandemic from which we haven't fully recovered. Yet the grit, resilience and determination of our business community remains quite staggering.

"The Chamber is delighted to offer a platform where we can recognise factors other than turnover or profit. The awards celebrate community, collaboration, social impact, innovation, inclusivity, diversity, ethical working, staff wellbeing and developing the workforce of the future."

Crewe Market Hall was the winner of the Ambassador of the Year Award.

Awards were handed out in nine categories with many Crewe businesses and organisations triumphant.

Local gym and swimming pools operator Everybody Health and Leisure won a Contribution to the Community award after implementing a programme of support for long-covid patients.

Crewe-based charity Wishing Well took the Excellence in Collaboration award for teaming up with major employers to help the community Start, Live and Age Well.

There was recognition also for businesses helping to put South Cheshire on the map as a place to visit. As well as the success of Crewe Market Hall - who are sponsors of Crewe Nub News' What's On section - the Business of the Year (25 plus employees) award was taken by Church Minshull's Aqueduct Marina, which runs popular narrowboat facilities.

Qualkem Ltd won the Business of the Year (under 25 employees) award. The Crewe-based family firm manufactures chemical solutions for a variety of sectors, including dental and veterinary with a commitment to sustainability. 

Crewe charity Wishing Well won an Excellence in Collaboration award.

The Start Up Business of the Year was won by Nantwich firm Platinum Construction in Nantwich.

The Excellence in Customer Service award went to Middlewich-based Everything Dinosaur, which exports its dinosaur and prehistoric animal toys, models and clothing to more than 100 countries.

Nantwich-based care provider Right at Home was triumphant in the Employer of the Year award.

While the Apprentice of the Year winner was Joshua Hallam, who works for the Amplo Group in Crewe where he has excelled on an administration apprenticeship.

This year saw a Special Recognition award go to the Mid Cheshire Hospitals Charity which fundraises for improvements and additional comforts such as a hypnotherapy service for people being treated for cancer.

The night attracted generous sponsorship from local companies; Assurant, Bentley Motors, Cheshire College South & West, Cheshire Connect, Cheshire East Council, Construction Linx, Hibberts, KPI Recruiting Ltd, Reaseheath College, Rhino Safety and South Cheshire Development Agency Ltd.

Joshua Hallam, of Crewe-based Amplo Group, won the Apprentice of the Year award.

Looking towards next year, Chamber CEO Paul Colman said South Cheshire was well placed to survive the economic downturn with HS2 attracting inward investment and more Crewe-based projects coming on stream from the £23m Towns Fund and £14m via the Future High Streets Fund.

He said: "In the long history of the Chamber we have seen how local businesses rise to a challenge, no more so than in the pandemic. Innovation and resilience is all around us.

"As active members of the British Chambers of Commerce we will continue to lobby at local and national level for South Cheshire and we welcome feedback from businesses who need support and would like to join us." 

READ MORE: Man handed five-year Stalking Protection Order for approaching lone women in Crewe.

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