THE county’s business community has toasted this year’s winners of the Oxfordshire Business Awards.

Finalists mingled with sponsors and guests at the reception at Northbrook House, Oxford Science Park.

This year the awards made history when information technology firm European Electronique, from Eynsham, scooped three trophies.

It won Business of the Year and RBS Large Business Award, while managing director Yolanta Gill was named Entrepreneur of the Year.

Ms Gill said: “Winning had a fantastic impact on the business. It was a great marketing tool and was wonderful for staff morale.

“It was also a great networking opportunity as we met companies that we did not even know existed. I would recommend entering next year to anyone and, if you win, then the business will benefit.”

Awards chairman Paul Lowe said there had been more entrants than ever, despite the recession.

He said: “Anyone who was a finalist at the awards should congratulate themselves on excelling among an entry of such high quality.”

James Woollard, the Shaw Gibbs Young Entrepreneur of the Year, was also enthusiastic.

Mr Woollard, managing director of Winey-based plastics firm Polythene UK, said: “I reckon we have gene-rated about £50-100,000 worth of publicity as a result of it. It has been a fantastic experience.”

Emily Hirons, manager of the Oxford Castle Unlocked visitor centre, which won the Four Pillars Tourism, Hospitality and Leisure Award, said the success had helped boost visitor numbers.

She added: “It was a really good marketing opportunity and this year we have welcomed 70,000 visitors, 28 per cent up on last year.

“But we are very ambitious and will enter again next year.”

Adderbury-based Fired Earth, which won the Oxfordshire Waste Partnership Sustainability Award, will also be entering again.

Robert Higham, of Fired Earth, said: “Winning the award has really raised our profile in the local community, for example through visits by local schools.

“It really has worked incredibly well for us and for our customers.”

Rolf Groenewold, of KeyHIPS, which supplies estate agents with Home Information Packs and other services, said winning the new business award had given the company credibility in a competitive market.

“A lot of our competitors are big multinationals.

“Getting credibility has been important for us, entering the market for the first time.”

An entry form for next year’s awards is available online at oxfordshirebusinessawards.co.uk The deadline for applications is February 26, and the winners will be announced at the Oxford Thames Four Pillars Hotel, Sandford on Thames, on Friday, June 18.