Thame businesses shine in new business awards 2017

THREE Thame Businesses have reached the final ten in the recent Southern Oxfordshire New Business Competition 2017, organised by Jennings, commercial property landlords and business mentors, and supported by Olympic rowing gold medalist, Tim Foster MBE.

Thame Photographer, Mark Hewitson

The Thame finalist are Mark Hewitson Photography Ltd, based in Thame, Tekat, and The Deli at No: 5, in Buttermarket, Thame. Mark Hewitson now has his own studio and is fulfilling is childhood dream, creating beautiful imagery of families, children and animals.

Tekat started as a web design business but has grown to offer websites for mobile devices, alongside services including search engine optimisation, online security and branding advice.

The Deli at No: 5, after taking the plunge and turning their love of quality foods into a business that offers a wide range of hand sourced produce from the UK, is a developing family business.

SONBC Finalist, Mark Hewitson, added: “I am honoured and humbled to be a finalist in SONBC. Since our opening last year we have gone from strength to strength. Winning this award would provide recognition of our place among the finest South Oxfordshire businesses while the support provided in the prize package will no doubt assist with ensuring our continued future growth.”

The eventual SONBC winner will be presented with an award by Tim Foster and his wife Joy (founder of digital start-up resource agency, Tech Pixies, and social enterprise Made with Joy) on April 7, 2017.

The winner’s prize package, worth over £10,000, will include:
* A free Jennings office or workshop for a year at Monument Park in Chalgrove (or virtual      office if better suited to the winner) in addition to a business mentoring package from         Jennings Business Mentors
* Website, brand and marketing consultancy from Blooberry Design
* Professional IT consultancy including Cloud set-up for all devices from Ask4Support Ltd
* Social media mentoring from Mushroom Soufflé
* Guidance from Clark Howes accountants and business advisors

Chris Williams, commercial manager for organiser and sponsor, Jennings, said: “The SONBC 2017 finalists represent a diverse number of sectors, but all share a passion for making a success of their business. We would like to offer our congratulations to all finalists who should feel proud to have got this far on what we hope will be a long prosperous business journey. Whittling down our class of ten to just one winner and runner up will be a tough process for the SONBC judges.”