John Nicholls Building and Plumbing Merchants has won the Established Business Award at the Cherwell Business Awards.

Held at Heythrop Park Hotel on 5 May, the 6th annual Awards celebrate the best businesses across 10 categories within north Oxfordshire.

The Established Business category is for businesses that have been trading for more than seven years and the key criteria that the judges were looking for were evidence of business growth, proven success and achievement during the past 12 months, a committed and strong team, excellent customer service, and a clear strategy for the next three to five years.

The judging for the award included a visit by the judges to John Nicholls’ head office and to the new supersite at Bicester, which comprises a building and plumbing merchant, as well as a large kitchen and bathroom showroom, where they were impressed with what has been achieved in its inaugural year.

Despite being a large business with over 200 employees, the culture and values of the family business set up 50 years ago, have remained. Jez Hampson, managing director of John Nicholls (Trading), said: “When we were notified that we had been selected as one of the three finalists we were delighted, and to actually win the award against two other really strong local businesses made for a fantastic evening.

“We are all very proud that our business has won this award and been recognised for being a great company with great people and great customers.”