The Rising Stars Bedfordshire and Luton Business Excellence awards had all the glitz expected of the annual Premier Newspapers event.

Around 200 men and women from the business community turned out at The Park Inn, Bedford, to hear this year's winners.

Paul Gibson, managing director of Premier Newspapers, said: "In these testing times it has been more of a challenge to find sponsorship funding but we are really pleased to be able to present the awards again.

"It is amazing to receive entries from individuals and businesses that are still achieving great things and rising above the current economic climate."

The shortlist of 24 nominees who impressed the judges ranged from IT and technology professionals to hairdressers and pub owners.

But the big winner was Bedford's Visionplus Ltd (Specsavers), declared Company of the Year 2009.

This highest accolade goes to the company which demonstrates "exceptional business achievement" through sustained growth and profitability.

Matt Stewart, a director at the Midland Road Specsavers branch, said: "It is the first time we have entered the awards and we never expected this. If you look at the strength of the competition it is just fantastic."



Award winners…

Shining Star Award

Sponsored by Barnfield College

Ade Balogun, Preen Community Interest Company, Biggleswade

Highly commended: Marianne Smith, Limes of Bedford; Jade Hawkes, A1 Security

New Business of the Year

Sponsored by Bedford Borough Council

Angels and Urchins, Bedford

Highly commended: Lockertek

Employee of the Year Award

Helen Scott, Maxwells Hair and Beauty, Biggleswade

Highly commended: Mandy Andrews, Applied IT

Champions of Learning

Sponsored by Bedford College Training Services

Preen Community Interest Company, Biggleswade

Highly commended: Applied IT

Customer Care Excellence

Sponsored by Premier Newspapers

Luton Visitor Information

Highly commended: Bedford Visionplus Ltd (Specsavers)

The Mobile Store, Dunstable

Green Business of the Year Award

Preen Community Interest Company, Biggleswade

Highly commended: As Green As Couriers, Kempston

Innovation Award

Sponsored by University of Bedfordshire (Knowledge Hub)

Vendescent, Leighton Buzzard

Small/Medium Sized Business of the Year

Sponsored by Keens Shay Keens

ProAccess Scaffolding, Leighton Buzzard

Highly Commended: Bedford Visionplus Ltd

www.Business of the Year

Prestige Print Ltd, Bedford

Company of the Year 2009 Award

Sponsored by Bedfordshire & Luton Chamber of Commerce

Bedford Visionplus Ltd (Specsavers)