IT was a night to remember for business owners, managers and employees at this year’s Winchester Business Excellence Awards.

The glitzy blacktie ceremony at the Guildhall, now in its 15th year, celebrates the achievements of local businesses, big and small.

The awards began with Eloise Appleby, assistant director, economy and communities, at Winchester City Council, who praised how women are now driving Winchester’s businesses.

“It is not necessarily better, it is just going to be different,” she said.

“We should be using all the female intuition, sensitivity and strength to our advantage.

“Let’s make Winchester a premier business destination.”

Funeral directors Richard Steel and Partners were crowned Simply Health Business of the Year by the judging panel, having also won in the Service Excellence category.

The Green Business of the Year was Kirton Farm Nurseries and Forte Kitchen won the Independent Business of the Year.

The Excellence in Innovation Award went to James Poore Lighting Design and The Little Kitchen Company took the Small-Medium Enterprise Award.

There were also two new honours of Charity or Social Enterprise of the Year, which was won by Winchester and District Young Carers, and the Supporting Apprenticeships Award for butchers CE Evans and Son.

Pictures by Daily Echo photographer Chris Moorhouse.