NEWPORT'S best and brightest entrepreneurs were honoured at the annual ‘V Awards’ held by the Argus’ sister magazine Voice on Sunday night.

More than 400 people turned out to celebrate at the event at the Parkway Hotel, with voters casting over 75,000 votes across a variety of categories.

From restaurants, coffee shops and fashion to leisure, health and family days out, many organisations and individuals scooped awards on the evening.

Jonathan Hill, managing director of independent coffee chain 'Hi Coffee', admitted that he "wasn't expecting" to scoop the 'Entrepreneur of the Year' award and was “chuffed to bits at the news”.

The win caps a successful year for the company, having opened a new outlet in the city's Riverside district in August.

The ‘Local Heroes / Volunteers of the Year was won by Newport-based charity, One Step At A Time, which provides support to people who are being re-homed.

“I’m overwhelmed and it was really emotional for us as we do work hard and have jobs," said charity co-founder Lee Williams.

“I would like to say a massive thank you to the 'One Step at a Time' team themselves for all their efforts”.

The awards ceremony even explored the role of community figures, with John Frost School’s head teacher Jon Wilson taking away the ‘Teacher of the Year’ award.

Reacting to the news, he said: "I’m always delighted that people would consider you worthy of such an award but I like to keep my feet on the ground.

“I’m a head teacher and there are a lot of hard working classroom teachers so it's important to recognise there us a lot of good work going on.”

V Award veterans, Parc Pantry, also picked up the ‘Best Coffee Shop’ award for the third year running, alongside winning an award for their event ‘Party in the Parc’ earlier this year.

“We’re always incredibly grateful and for us it’s all about the customer. We're incredibly pleased that people like what we do,"said co-owner Matt Ellis.

“Whatever we do in the future, we hope to explore opportunities and keep improving and these awards help us to do that”.

Voice magazine's founder Chris Evans, who is also a Rogerstone councillor, added: “To me it’s very much the people’s awards and it’s where we get to celebrate the unsung heroes in our small and medium businesses and enterprises.

"I think there’s a lot of uncertainty around at the moment but to be able to just celebrate these people is just fabulous."

SHOP LOCAL AND SPECIAL V AWARDS, SPONSORED BY NEWPORT CITY HOMES

Business Start-Up Award: Crafted

Social Enterprise of the year: Reseiclo/The Woodstore

Local Heroes/Volunteers of the Year: One Step At A Time

Teacher of the Year: Mr Wilson, John Frost School

Entrepreneur of the Year: Jonathan Hill, Hi Coffee

Customer Service Award: Malmo Hearing

Family Run business of the Year: New Foundation

Market Trader of the Year: AD Turner & Sons

Independent High Street Retailer of the Year: C L Jeffries

SHOPPING AND HOME

Retailer of the Year: George Street Furnishers

Fashion Retailer of the Year: La Belle Femme

Home Furnishings Retailer of the Year: Tidal’s Store

Garden Centre of the Year: Usk Garden Centre

Home Improvement Shop of the Year: RB Kitchens

Shopping Centre of the Year: Friars Walk

Estate Agent of the Year: CJ Hole by Martin & Co

Taxi Firm of the Year: ABC Taxi’s

Hotel of the Year: Waterloo Hotel & Bistro

Event Specialist of the Year: Forever Bows

Prom and Party Wear Specialist of the Year: Mizz Congeniality

Wedding Business of the Year: Bryan Gunton

Wedding Venue of the Year: The Old Barn Inn

Wedding Photographer of the Year: Nick Murray

Bridal Shop of the year: House Of Couture

BEAUTY AND STYLE – SPONSORED BY ST JOSEPH’S HOSPITAL

Beauty Salon of the Year: Bliss

Beautician of the Year: Lauren Hayes, Facial Attraction

Beauty Therapist of the Year: Jan Daymond, Caci Clinic

Aesthetic Clinic of the Year: Evolve

Beauty Innovation Award: Taje

Nail Technician of the Year: Kirsty Beard, Beau Belle

Hair Salon of the Year: Hairplay

Stylist of the Year: Debbie Mills, Browns

Colour Technicians of the Year: Nuthouse Hair Design

Barber Shop of the Year: Neyaz’s Crib

Tanning Salon of the Year: Sophia Louise

Opticians of the Year: Specsavers

Tattoo Studio of the Year: Gypsy Jane

FAMILY AND LEISURE

Education Establishment of the Year: Rougemont School

Child Care Establishment of the Year: Norfolk House

Family Day Out of the Year: Greenmeadow Community Farm

Family Activity of the Year: Superbowl

Gym of the Year: Newport Live

Health Spa of the Year: The Health and Serenity Spa

FOOD AND ENTERTAINMENT

Restaurant of the Year: The Rock and Fountain

Best New Restaurant of the Year: Los Reyes

Indian Restaurant/Takeaway of the Year: Vanilla Spice

Chinese Restaurant/Takeaway of the Year: China Town

European Cuisine Restaurant of the Year: Bistrot Pierre

City Centre Restaurant of the Year: Mojo The FoodBar

Family Restaurant of the Year: Tredegar Arms, Rogerstone

Country Pub of the Year: The Rose Inn

Hotel Restaurant of the Year: The Stuffed Dormouse

Gastro Food Award: Junction 28

Vegetarian/Vegan Establishment of the Year: Cedars Café

Breakfast of the Year: Fanny’s Rest Stop Café

Gourmet Burger of the Year: Secret Garden Café

Artisan Pizza of the Year: Sawyers Bar and Grill

Sunday Roast of the Year: The Red Lion Inn

Food Producer of the Year: Moody Sow

Fish and Chip Shop of the Year: Sglods

Snack Bar of the Year : Ty Cwt/AKA The Hut

Café of the Year: The Pot

Tea House of the Year: Vanilla Pod

Coffee Shop of the Year: Parc Pantry

Chef of the Year: Jamie Southall, The Stuffed Dormouse

Healthy Living Award: Raw Juice Bar

Landlord/Publican of the Year: Anthony Cole, Lyceum Tavern

Pub of the Year: The Potters

Event of the Year: Party in the Parc hosted by The Tea Rooms

Live Music Venue of the Year: Slipping Jimmy’s

Theatre of the Year: The Riverfront

Vibrant Venue of the Year: Blind Tiger

Club of the Year: Courtyard

City Centre Venue of the Year: Urban Tap House