A night of camaraderie and celebration filled Ely Cathedral when the dedication of the local business community was praised at a glittering awards ceremony.

The eighth annual Ely Standard East Cambridgeshire Business Awards was hosted in the Lady Chapel with a prestigious evening that recognises the best business talent that the region has to offer.

Hosted by BBC presenter Sue Dougan said; “These awards provide recognition for companies and individuals who are contributing to the business success, best practice and positive environmental impact in East Cambridgeshire.

“They are, undoubtedly, the region’s only awards for excellent business practice and hope to become hugely prestigious and highly valued, reflecting the achievement of winning companies.

“It is about recognising and rewarding companies and individuals who are making significant contributions to east Cambridgeshire’s business community and economic development.”

Judges were particularly impressed with the quality of all of the 2016 applications entered into eleven different categories, she added.

Entries were overseen by judges from the Chamber of Commerce and the Federation of Small Businesses.

A prize draw for a wheelbarrow of wine was won by Ann Boutwood which raised £842.45 for Mayor Councillor Ian Lindsay’s charities.

Business Person of The Year

Winner - Mark Taylor of Legal Services Ltd.

Mark said: “I’m incredibly appreciative of the fact that these awards give people like me the opportunity to be recognised in this way.

“It was my son who put me up for it so I should really thank him aswell!”

Shortlisted: John Shields of Playright Youth Theatre.

New Business of the Year

Winner - Ely Auto Care.

Managing director Jamie Edmunds said: “The business is just 14 months old. This is just the start for us. It’s certainly going in the right direction.

“To win an award so soon is not only great news but testament to our staff and successful team work.”

Shortlisted: The Cambridge Lady, Pure Ely Ltd, Cambridge Architectural Design, Fenland Spirit Services Ltd.

Small Business of the Year

Winner - Soopa Doopa Branding.

Managing director Jake Scott-Paull said: “It’s been a fantastic huge year for us and to win this as the culmination of it is great news.”

Shortlisted: DG Building (East Cambs) Ltd, Glamdusters, Inheritance Legal Services Ltd, Sigma Embroidery and Printing, Red Shoes Accounting, Hotseat Recruitment, Our House of Spice.

Medium Business of the Year

Winner - Maximum Precision Ltd.

Director James Butcher said: “I’m surprised and thrilled to have won as there was some seriously strong competition in this category.

“I’m lucky enough to head up an amazing team who work hard to make all this possible.”

Shortlisted: Cambridge Nutritional Sciences, The Old Hall.

Customer Service

Winner - The Atrium Club Ely.

General manager Steve Bradley said: “Winning this is all down to great staff. Without them none of this would be possible.”

Shortlisted: Inheritance Legal Services Ltd, The Old Hall, Our House of Spice, Ely Auto Care, Hotseat Recruitment, Fenland Spirit Services Ltd.

Retailer of the Year

Winner - Interiors of Ely.

Owner Nigel Wright said: “I’m absolutely over the moon and proud of the team behind me and what they achieve.

“The way staff help customers and deal with the day to day running of the business is absolutely fantastic.”

Shortlisted: Artichoke Collection Ltd, Anvil Cottage Crafts.

Business in the Community

Winner - Isle of Ely Produce.

Marketing manager Austin Dack said: “What a fantastic opportunity and brilliant awards night, we have worked so hard to earn this title and are humbled to win.”

Shortlisted: Sigma Embroidery and Printing, Playright Youth Theatre.

Online Business of the Year

Winner - Ely Auto Care.

Managing director Jamie Edmunds said: “The whole ethos of our online booking system is transparency.

“When customers go online they enter their car registration and see immediately the price for particular work, a date and time slot they can book and once booked receive an email confirmation. It’s all about making it as easy as possible for customers. Winning an award for our hard work on this is fantastic.”

Employer of the Year

Winner - The Old Hall.

Alex Morbey said: “It feels amazing to win. We can’t do this without great people and we have the best. They go above and beyond.”

Shortlisted: Sigma Embroidery and Printing, The Atrium Club, Ely.

Judges Award

Winner - Sigma Embroidery and Printing.

Owner Kim Oakhill said: “I must say a really big thank you to the staff. They have been so supportive, without them this is not possible.”

Business of the Year

Winner - Soopa Doopa Branding.

Managing director Gavin Lambert said: “This is completely unexpected. We’re incredibly proud of what we’ve achieved in a short space of time and already there’s plans for much more to come in the future.”