Two Midlands businesses are set to represent the region at the Lloyds TSB Enterprise Awards in March, after winning the Midlands heat in Nottingham yesterday.

Bags2riches – Midlands Best Start-up

Bags2riches, a Staffordshire-based fair trade, recycled plastic jewellery and artwork producer, was the first winner in the Best Start-Up category, which recognises a business in its early stages.

Fresh Cargo – Best Enterprise

Meanwhile, Fresh Cargo, a Nottingham-based fair trade fashion and accessories company, took home the prize for Best Enterprise. The Best Enterprise award goes to the business judged to show real potential for growth over the next five years.

[Show as slideshow]

12►

Rebecca Gray, founder of Fresh Cargo, said: “Winning the Best Enterprise award will really help our business to be able to grow over the next few years, and will provide some recognition for Fresh Cargo. As we are still growing and starting up, it will allow us to invest in building our online and wholesales business both in the UK and internationally.

“It has provided some much needed funds in this difficult economic time, so I am very pleased that we’ve been fortunate enough to win.”

Anna Roebuck, founder of Bags2riches and winner of the Best Start-Up award, said: “Since we only launched the company to trade last September, winning the award is a real boost of confidence. Knowing that the judges believe we have a really good product to get out there on the market is great.

“Obviously, the cash prize will be a great help with our PR and marketing activity, but the mentoring side will be a real bonus for us, as it will help to steer the business in the right direction.”

Also recognised in the Midlands heat with a Highly Commended was 99p Shopper Limited, an online variety store selling items at 99p and under, for the skills and entrepreneurship its owners demonstrated.

As the winner of the Best Start-Up, Bags2riches has secured a cash prize of £1,000, whilst the Best Enterprise winner, Fresh Cargo will be taking home £5,000. Both winners will also benefit from two years’ mentoring from senior Lloyds Banking Group representatives and free legal advice from an independent specialist law firm.