THE best of Bradford's businesses enjoyed yet another glitzy evening of celebrations as the eighth annual Telegraph & Argus Bradford Means Business Awards took place tonight.

Held at the Aagrah Midpoint, in Thornbury, in association with Bradford Council and Bradford chamber of Commerce, the event showcased what is special about the district's businesses and entrepreneurs where shortlisted companies vied for the crown in 10 categories.

The event has become an eagerly anticipated date on the calendar where the hard work and dedication of local businesses or sole traders is recognised and celebrated.

Last night's Winner of Winners, which was also was named Manufacturer of the Year was Gordon Rhodes & Son.

The company had risen literally from the ashes after suffering a devastating fire at its spice and seasoning manufacturing premises last year.

Jo Lees, who works in marketing and communications with the company said: "To be perfectly honest we are blown away to win.

"To get the manufacturing award was brilliant, but this, winner of winners, and in front of so many of the district's top businesses, is absolutely amazing. I can't stop smiling.

"Ian, the managing director and the rest of the family will be thrilled. Everyone has worked so hard to build the business back up after the fire, but it shows what hard work and commitment can do.

"Everyone pulled together. We really want to thank our customers too for sticking with us."

Keynote speaker for the evening was David Baldwin, chief executive officer of Burnley Football Club and former CEO of Bradford City FC.

He said business was all about adversity and opportunity and the reality of the working life which was all about experiencing challenges.

He added that adversity was something to embrace.

Sharing the speaker's role was Ian Ward, general manager of The Broadway shopping centre and chairman of the Bradford BID (Business Improvement District) Development Group.

He spoke about why Bradford needed a BID and how, if businesses voted for it in a ballot which opens on September 13, it could secure more than £2.5 million through a levy and other funding mechanisms.

Councillor Susan Hinchcliffe, leader of Bradford Council.

She spoke about getting Bradford "on the map" through Northern Powerhouse Rail.

"We need to make sure it stays on the map and keep fighting for city centre station here," she said.

The evening's compere, former Telegraph & Argus editor Perry Austin-Clarke who said Bradford had a lot to shout about, noting the city was recently named as the best city in the UK to start a new business by Barclays Bank business analysts.

"There's no doubt that business is leading the district's renaissance," he said.

Current T&A editor Nigel Burton added: "It's been a tough year for business, not just in Bradford but across the whole of the UK .

"The Brexit deadline is looming and, regardless of whether you think leaving the EU is a good thing or not, uncertainty about the manner of our departure has delayed investment and expansion decision.

"But I am an optimist and I see lots to be positive about in Bradford."

He spoke of the One City Park development moving ahead, as was the former Odeon redevelopment.

The city was benefitting from The Broadway and Sunbridge Wells, as well as the nearing completion of St George's Hall.

Mr Burton also spoke at length of the forthcoming 150th anniversary of the T&A and how the city had changed since it first launched.

He also noted, that through the digital age, that more people were now reading the T&A than at any time in the last 150 years - more than 120,000 each day over all its platforms.

"We are not waging war, or circling our wagons against the march of technology. On the contrary; we embrace it," he said.

ALL THE BRADFORD MEANS BUSINESS AWARDS WINNERS 2018

New Business of the Year -Tiffin Coffee

Retail/Leisure or Hospitality Business of the Year - Taylormade Treats

Small or Medium Enterprise of the Year - Expect Distribution

Manufacturer of the Year - Gordon Rhodes & Son

Job Creator of the Year - Tong Garden Centre

Business Woman of the Year - Claire Stone

Employer of the Year - Mansfield Pollard

Apprentice of the Year - Toby Crawshaw

Business Personality of the Year - Christian Smith

Young Entrepreneur of the Year - Gemma Andrews

Winner of Winners - Gordon Rhodes & Sion

The list of sponsors for the event included: Accent, BASF, BIST Group, Ad-Venture, BHP Clough Corporate Solutions, Keelham Farm shop, The Broadway, Kirkgate Shopping Centre, Lexus Bradford, NatWest, Juice Media, Saville Audio Visual, Aagrah and Napoleons, Bradford.