A SPECTACULAR awards evening for the Hereford BID Business Awards 2017 was held at the Shire Hall in Hereford last Thursday.

The finalists and sponsors gathered for a drinks reception first, before enjoying a two-course meal by Ascari Catering.

The BID awards, in partnership with the Hereford Times and Maylord Shopping Centre, were set up this year to celebrate all of the BID members who make Hereford a great place to shop and visit.

Hereford BID is a project set up by and for the businesses in Hereford to improve trading and footfall in the city now and in the future.

Chairman of Hereford BID, John Jones, welcomed everyone to the event.

He said: "One of the BID's key purposes is to shine a spotlight on Hereford, through PR and marketing, so people from Herefordshire and further afield come here. The awards are just one of the ways in which we are doing so."

He thanked the category sponsors, Cargills, CF Roberts, Flannels, Harrison Clark Rickerbys, Herefordshire Council, Hereford Retail Security and Old Market Shopping Centre.

He also thanked The Hibiscus Room for providing the table centres.

During dessert The Athene Singers entertained diners.

Simon Whiting from Maylord Shopping Centre then spoke to the audience.

He said: "Our winners and finalists tonight have demonstrated what is possible with vision, planning and determination, to make a difference."

Andrew Easton from BBC Hereford and Worcester then presented the awards for the evening.

Following the awards ceremony, Peter John, regional editor for Newsquest Midlands, congratulated the winners and thanked everybody for attending.

Hamilton Hire, InEvents, Westent, BStyled and The Vine Tap helped transform the hall for the evening. The Rural Media Company filmed the awards.