Championing local business (From Western Telegraph)

Championing local business

For a relatively small rural county, Pembrokeshire has a remarkably large number of businesses.

At the last count they numbered 14,000. These range from employers who have a workforce of over 100 to the one-person venture. They cover all trades and industries. Now there is an opportunity to reward and recognise the contribution and achievements of the county's business community.

The first ever Pembrokeshire Business Awards will be launched officially in November. It has already attracted considerable interest.

The objective of the awards is to help support, recognise and celebrate the diversity and achievement of businesses within Pembrokeshire.

The main sponsor of the event is Texaco, in association with Pembrokeshire College, PBI, Radio Pembrokeshire, and the Western Telegaph. The categories are:

Pembrokeshire Entrepreneur of the Year. Pembrokeshire SME of the Year. E-commerce/technology Award. Gareth Jones Start-up Award. Agricultural Enterprise of the Year. Customer Service Provider of the Year. Pembrokeshire Business Person of the Year. Pembrokeshire Business of the Year.

Said awards co-ordinator, Claire Staley: "We have already had a considerable amount of interest in the awards from all types of businesses. In the coming editions of the Western Telegraph Business supplement and on Radio Pembrokeshire we will be focusing on specific categories each month."

She added: "Invitations to the awards launch at Folly Farm, Begelly, on November 27th, will be sent out in October.

"If people want to make sure that they receive an invitation they should register their interest on 01646 695300. Application forms for the awards will be available nearer the launch date."

Kevin Hire, commercial manager of Newsquest West Wales, which includes the Western Telegraph, said: "We are proud to have been associated with these awards since their inception and are fully committed to recognising business successes in the county we serve."