THE fifth annual Telegraph & Argus Bradford Means Business awards was another glittering occasion celebrating those who make the district’s economy tick.

A diverse range of companies and individuals were honoured at the event held at the Aagrah Midpoint Suite in Thornbury.

Hosted by the T&A, the awards are held in partnership with Bradford Chamber of Commerce and Bradford Council. The 11 awards categories were sponsored by the cream of local organisations.

A packed room saw Bingley-based Sports Turf Research Institute (STRI) crowned the big winner on the night, as the firm scooped Best Small or Medium Enterprise and the overall Winner of Winners accolade.

STRI provides services for the research, design, construction and management of sports pitches and surfaces across the globe.

STRI’s chief executive Gordon McKillop said on receiving the awards: “What more can I say? I am very, very surprised, delighted, overwhelmed and over the moon. I feel overwhelmed. We are very proud and absolutely delighted to have won.”

Keeley McIntyre, of Shipley, a 20-year-old plasterer at social housing group Incommunities won the first Apprentice of the Year prize when it was introduced last year.

Keynote speaker Peter Miller, developer Westfield UK’s chief operating officer, confirmed the long-awaited news that the Broadway shopping centre would open on November 5 and would boost the £8.2 billion local economy by nearly £1 billion and boost city centre spending by nearly 80 per cent.

Other speakers were Bradford Council leader Councillor David Green and T&A Editor Perry Austin-Clarke who both praised the quality of entries and the ingenuity and determination of local entrepreneurs and businesses.