Best of business gather in March for the Fenland Citizen Awards

The best of business gathered in March last night for a very special evening.

Eleven awards were handed out as more than 200 guests assembled at The Braza Club for the 2025 Fenland Citizen Business Awards, presented in partnership with Whitings Group.

The evening was hosted by professional toastmaster Matt Biggin and introduced by Citizen editor Jeremy Ransome. Special guests included MP Steve Barclay.

Winner of Best Social Enterprise (sponsored by Clarion Housing) was Wisbech’s Ferry Project, with runners-up Blackfield Creatives (Wisbech Gallery) and FACT Community Transport, of March.

The Retail & Hospitality (Fenmarc) award went to B&R Dining of March, who also provided guests with a wonderful three-course meal on the night. Runners-up were The Five Bells of Tydd St Mary and Oliver Twist Country Inn, of Guyhirn.

The Business Innovation (Nestle Purina) accolade went to DKO Wheatley of Wisbech, with Doorbrite of March and The Singing Gardener of Wisbech also shortlisted.

Best New Start-Up (Goldstar Metal Traders) went to Smiths Butchers of March, beating Ben Harding Window Cleaning of Whittlesey and First Turn Media of March.

The Customer Care (Chaos IT) award was scooped by March Fast Fit & Servicing, with Sizzler Barbecue Caterers. of Wisbech and Fenland Families and Baby Bank of Wisbech aslo shortlisted.

The Agriculture and Environment Champion (Fraser Dawbarns LLP) was Vine House Farm, with NFU Mutual of March and Tamar Nurseries of Wisbech runners-up.

Team of the Year (Cambridgeshire Chamber of Commerce) was More Muzic Radio of Whittlesey, beating of opposition from March companies RKA Kickboxing and Doorbrite.

Employer of the Year (Nestle Purina) was Rai & Rai General Builders of Whittlesey, with Pure Heart Homecare of Wisbech a close second.

Businessperson of the Year (Mapus-Smith & Lemmon LLP) was Hollie Summerscales of Nine Twelve Hospitality, with Shona Hamilton-Higgins of Lilac HR in Wisbech and Charlotte Watson Financial Planning also shortlisted.

Business of the Year (Whitings) was Crown Lodge Hotel of Outwell, with March company Goldstar Metal Traders and Wisbech firm Build a Brand also shortlisted.

The Whitings Prestige Award for the company achieving overall greatness was The Five Bells pub of Tydd St Mary.

A table collection on the night raised £1,000 for the Little Miracles charity.