Dorchester Chamber members Bird Media, who publish The West Dorset Magazine, have won the overall Bridport Business of the Year award – to their huge surprise and delight.
Bird Media was incorporated a year ago, by co-directors Miranda Robertson and Karen Bate and published its first magazine on February 11, 2022, so it’s their first birthday this month!
And what nicer gift could they receive than Overall Business of the Year, as voted by a panel of independent judges?
More than 50 local business leaders attended the awards ceremony at Highlands End Holiday Park in Eype.
The 12 awards were presented by Cllr Ian Bark, Mayor of Bridport.
Cllr Bark said: “The judges felt this business really had achieved a lot in just a year and was now an established and very popular one. A new business that had made a name for itself.
“They were impressed with the quality of the product and by the teamwork that produces it.
“With a strong and growing fan base, the judges were unanimous that this winner will be around for many years.”
The 25th edition has just been distributed across an area including Bridport, Dorchester, Sherborne and Weymouth & Portland. Some 25,000 copies are all picked up within two weeks from 240 stockists, and read by an estimated 60-70,000 people.
The editions are also online at Westdorsetmag.co.uk where you can find stockist lists, advertising prices and their national award-winning cartoons.
Miranda said: “We were stunned to win not only the new business of the year award but the overall award too. We’ve never run a business before and it’s been tough, but so rewarding.”
The award comes hot on the heels of a national award for the magazine, who were named runners up at the Political Cartoon of the Year Awards in London in December – the only regional publication to be shortlisted and beating the likes of The Times, The Telegraph, The Spectator and Private Eye.
Miranda added: “We could get used to this awards malarkey! I do like a good buffet…”
Find out more about the multi awarding winning West Dorset Magazine here: West Dorset Magazine | Free fortnightly magazine for West Dorset
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