A WINNER from last year’s Inspire Business Awards has spoken about his pride at winning a prize and how the award has helped him grow his business this past year.

Gordon Stott, 26, won the Young Business Person of the Year award at the Inspire Awards in 2016.

He is the head chef of The Sun Inn, based in Dummer, and was 20 when he first entered into the world of business. The business has come a long way since he first took over in 2012.

Gordon said: “Even though we had a bit of a rocky start, things have really improved. I had to learn quickly and while I made some mistakes early on, I made some good choices too and now we are moving on in being more successful.

“I’m very proud of the award and the fact that it’s been given to me. At the time, it was the first award that I had received, and since then, even though I’ve got more, this one is still at the top of my trophy shelf.

“I had been a finalist twice before and that was the third time I was there and I won an award, it was great.”

Mr Stott says the award has helped to attract people to come to try out the business. He added: “People have come to us just because they heard of us from the Inspire Awards, it has really helped get the name out there for some local publicity.

“It is definitely worth the while of entering, even if you don’t end up winning. The night itself is a great night out, and you can make some really good contacts while you are there as well.”

The deadline for entering the Inspire Business Awards is on September 9, and to nominate an individual or business, visit www.inspirebusinessawards.co.uk. There are plenty of categories to be put forward for including the Young Business Person of the Year Award, Business of the Year, and Apprentice of the Year.