Businesses within the BID zone were showcased across a range of categories in the first Bedford Midweek Newspaper Business Awards.

BedfordBID sponsored the Town Centre Business of the Year which was won by George James Bridal of Bromham Road owned by Nicola Harris.

Runners-up were El Picante Mexican Grill, Allhallows, and the High Street’s Harrison & Simmonds Gentlemen’s Emporium, also a runner up in the Family Business category.

Chair of the BedfordBID Samantha Laycock of the Harpur Centre presented the prize to Nicola Harris on behalf of the Love Bedford team.

In other categories, town centre businesses were featured too.

Large Business of the Year winner was Bedford College - a strong supporter of the BedfordBID since it was founded in 2005. In addition Ian Pryce CBE, who has been CEO for nearly two decades, was presented with a Lifetime Achievement Award.

In the Customer Service of the Year Award the winner was Rose’s Bridal of the High Street and runner up was Baby and Play of Castle Quay.

Stem4Stem of Mill Street were runners-up in the Small Business of the Year and Mobasher Qayyum of the Creams franchise opening on the High Street was runner up in the Young Business Person of the Year. 

Young business Person of the Year – Mobasher  Oayyum, Creams Café, High Street FINALIST

Customer Service of the Year – Baby and Play, Castle Lane FINALIST; Rose’s Bridal High Street WINNER

Family Business of the Year – Harrison & Simmonds, High Street FINALIST

Small Business of the Year – Skills4Stem Ltd, Mill Street FINALIST

Bedford Town Centre Business of the Year – El Picante Mexican Grill, Allhallows FINALIST, Harrison & Simmonds, High Street FINALIST; George James Bridal Bromham Rd WINNER

Large Business of the Year – Bedford College WINNER

Lifetime Achievement – Ian Pryce Principal & Chief Executive Bedford College