A VILLAGE shop in a small Perthshire community, a new Kirriemuir-based firm and a trio of further education colleges across Tayside were among the winners of this year’s Tayside Business Awards last night, writes Ian Findlay, industrial reporter.

Some 300 prominent members of the Tayside business community who gathered for the event in the Hilton Hotel, Dundee, were told by Scottish Enterprise Tayside chief executive Shona Cormack they had again shown that Tayside “is an excellent place to do business.”

A total of 22 contenders reached the finals of the awards, sponsored by Royal Bank of Scotland.

* Best performing business (Over 25 employees)— Bentleys Shopfitting Ltd.

Established in 1987 in Dundee, Bentleys now employs around 50 staff and has a client base which includes some of the UK’s top retailers.

* Best performing business (25 employees or under)—Highland Fayre Ltd.

Based in Perth and specialising in luxury gift hampers, Highland Fayre has enjoyed significant growth this year. With a 24% increase in turnover, the company is on course to reach a target of £1.5 million by 2006/07.

* Most entrepreneurial young company— Specialised Vehicles and Trailers Ltd.

Formed just a year ago, Kirriemuir-based SVT identified and filled a gap in the car transporter market. The company designs, builds and services multiple capacity transporters and, in its first two months of trading, secured orders worth £1 million.

* Business in the community—Kirkmichael Village Shop.

The setting up of the Kirkmichael Village Shop not only saved vital services in the local community but has also led to a range of new ones.

* E-business—Westgate Health Centre.

The centre in Menzieshill, Dundee, leads the field as a public sector organisation embracing technology for the benefit of clients/patients.

* Innovation and creativity—Perth College on behalf of Perth, Angus and Dundee colleges.

Tayside’s three colleges of further education have launched an innovative approach to partnership working.

* International Business—Bonar Yarns & Fabrics Ltd.

The firm employs more than 200 people in Dundee and is the world’s leading carpet backing yarn supplier.

* Excellence in skills and learning—Charlie Taylor Health & Beauty.

The first Charlie Taylor salon opened in Perth in 1987 and since then training and development for staff has been a top priority.