This was the first time I attended a business awards event, and one of the first things that I really loved was walking into the Grand and seeing so many people from Eastbourne’s business community come together.  The atmosphere was brilliant, everyone looked fabulous and best of all, happy.

I was fortunate to be there as I have recently become a committee member of ‘Wayfinder Woman’, a project to empower women in business & in the workplace, and Laura Murphy who heads up the charity invited me to join her.

After a spot of networking, we were called in for our lunch, and the event opened with great speeches from both Keith Ridley, Editor of the Eastbourne Herald and Stephen Lloyd MP.

Both spoke of how much Eastbourne had achieved over the past year, with unemployment low, outstanding take up of apprenticeships and how the business and wider community had pulled together magnificently when our beloved Pier has suffered the fire.

The outside perception of our Town is changing, Eastbourne is doing well, and we are an amazing town to do business in!

The awards Ceremony was hosted by Beverly Thompson (formerly of BBC South) and Ian Palmer (BBC South).

What struck me as the Awards ceremony began and businesses that were Highly Commended or Winners were called up to the stage was the wealth of amazing independent businesses we have in our town.

As a bestof Eastbourne member, I was particularly excited to see Wyntercon, Chatfields Jewellers and Paperlane all receive awards for their businesses.

I was equally delighted to see other businesses I am very fond of win, Fusciardi’s, Furniture Now!, Clarke Roofing, CDS Electrical and so many others who were all worthy winners.

I accompanied Laura onto the stage to receive her award and I have to say that was nerve-wracking! And I am not one to get nervous being in front of a crowd.  Nerves aside, it was an honour to be beside Laura as she accepted her award.

The whole event was inspiring and I loved the energy of our business community.  I may be a Londoner originally, but Eastbourne is home, a place I love and am proud to call my town.  To be able to be part of this vibrant business community is something I truly value, and the awards ceremony underlined that for me.