STAFF and managers at Blenheim Palace were celebrating last night after the venue was voted Oxfordshire Business of the Year.

The World Heritage Site scooped the top honour at the Oxfordshire Business Awards in front of an audience of more than 450 guests.

And it was a double celebration for Blenheim, which attracts tourists and corporate guests from around the world, which also won the Tourism, Hospitality and Leisure Award.

At the prestigious event at the Four Pillars Hotel, Sandford, Oxfordshire Business Person of the Year was named as Steve Liquorish of office seating supplier CMS Industries in Grove, while the Young Business Person of the Year was David Watt of Adderbury-based events services firm Corporate Innovations.

The Sustainability Award went to Oxford sausage restaurant The Big Bang.

The Innovation category was won by eye-tracking software company Bunnyfoot, based at the Harwell Innovation Centre, while the Charity and Community award was claimed by Oxford City Football Club.

Cassington marketing firm the Torpedo Group took the honours in the Creative category and Oxfordshire’s New Business of the Year is online pawnbroking firm Borro.com of Summertown, Oxford.

Andrew Smith, Business Editor of the Oxford Mail, was a judge at the awards. He said: “It was a fantastic celebration of all that is best in Oxfordshire business.”

  • For a full list of winners and reactions see Monday’s Mail