THE great and good of the Thurrock business community gathered in Grays on Friday night for the borough’s annual business awards.

The Civic Centre was packed for the glitzy ceremony which highlighted the outstanding work and contribution businesses and its people have made to Thurrock in the last year.

TV and radio personality James Whale was host for the event, which was organised by the Gazette’s parent company Newsquest Essex and sponsored by DP World London Gateway.

The big winners on the night included Andy Joyce of Cater Right, who walked away with the business man of the year award; Rachel Addison of Benems who took home business woman, and Zena Haydon of ATL Haulage who was named apprentice of the year.

Gazette editor Gary Pearson said: “What a fantastic night. This event just seems to get bigger and better every year. It’s so great to celebrate all that’s good within Thurrock’s thriving business community.

“Congratulations to all those shortlisted, the judges had a torrid time picking the winners which speaks volumes for the high standard of entries. It’s easy to see why this borough is going places.”

See next week’s Gazette for extensive coverage of the evening. Congratulations to all the winners.

Full list of winners:

New Company sponsored by Trop Shop

Small

Animals at Home South Essex Ltd

Medium

Reed's Family Butchers

Small Business sponsored by H W Wilson

The Little Sprogs Company

Excellent Customer Services sponsored by Systematics International Ltd

Small

Specsavers Grays

Medium

Palmers Solicitors

Large

Essex Auto Group

Staff Training and development sponsored by ITec

H.W Wilson

Sustainable Transport sponsored by Travel Thurrock

South Essex College

Logistics and Distribution sponsored by Ultimate Choice Bathrooms

JF Hillebrand UK

Community Charity sponsored by Age UK Essex

Aveley Village Community Forum

Community Private sponsored by Age UK Essex

Tai Chi For Health

Apprentice of the year sponsored by Thurrock Council

Zena Haydon - ATL Haulage

Young Entrepreneur of the Year sponsored by Orsett Hall

Will Reed, Reed’s Family Butchers

Business Man of the year sponsored by IKBBI

Andy Joyce – Cater Right

Business Woman of the year sponsored by IKBBI

Rachel Addison – Benems

Highly Commended sponsored by Canute Group

Deborah Wood