Biddenden Vineyards, Kent’s original commercial vineyard, has been awarded ‘Family Business of the Year’ at this year’s Kent Excellence in Business Awards (KEiBA). The vineyard is owned & managed independently by the second & third generation of the Barnes family and will next year be celebrating its 50th anniversary.
KEiBA is an annual awards run by KM Media Group & Kent County Council to recognise & reward excellence in Kent’s businesses. Following on from a detailed application, Biddenden was shortlisted alongside three other Kent businesses before carrying out in depth interviews covering all aspects of the business with the categories judging panel, led by sponsors Gallaghers.
The winners were announced at the KEiBA awards on Thursday 21st June, held at the Kent Event Centre, and Julian, Sally, Tom, Sam & Will Barnes all attended to receive the award.
Julian Barnes, Managing Director, commented “We feel honoured to have been the first business to receive this award in Kent. It is an exciting time at Biddenden and family is key to the continued growth of the business. As anyone with a family business will know, a lot of hours, hard work and determination is involved & to be recognised for this by KEiBA is extremely rewarding”.
A full list of winners can be found at www.keiba.co.uk
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