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
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