BUSINESSMAN Brandon Weston has vowed to build on the success of his Chamber of Commerce Awards win when his new restaurant venture opens in Worcester this autumn.

The 37-year-old managing director of Worcester estate and lettings agent Premier Places was earlier this month named Entrepreneur of the Year at the Herefordshire and Worc-ester Chamber of Comm-erce Awards.

Competition was strong with a number of key business people from Hereford, Worcester and Redditch all vying for the award, sponsored by the Royal Bank of Scotland.

Selected by a panel of judges, Mr Weston was recognised as an individual who personifies the spirit of a true entrepreneur with his unique ability to spot a good opportunity, assemble the right team and transform a strategic vision into success.

In 1995, he launched Premier Lettings from offices in The Tything with minimal staffing levels but with the energy and passion for the business to succeed. Then, after chef and old friend Calum MacCrim-mon suggested there was a gap in the market for a good restaurant in Worcester, he set about securing one of Worcester's most historic and atmospheric buildings.

In 1998 the Glasshouse in Church Street opened.

Now Mr Weston is looking forward to his next set of challenges when the Glasshouse moves to Sidbury with award-winning chef Sean Hill in the autumn and Premier Places opens an office in Redditch in the next two months.

He added: "I was delighted to accept the award as it's quite an achievement.

"To me, an entrepreneur is someone who's able to turn their hand to any business and I think this award is in recognition of what I've achieved.

"At the end of the day it's thanks to all the people who work with me. I couldn't do this on my own.

"I set myself challenges every day and these next two moves are challenges but ones I'm looking forward to."

Judges commented on Mr Weston's dynamic approach to marketing and ability to reinvent his companies in order to strengthen the brand image and keep ahead of the competition.

Phil Dutton, the Royal Bank of Scotland's director of commercial banking for Herefordshire and Worcestershire, said: "I was impressed with the high calibre of entries in the Entrepreneur category.

"I feel this is a healthy representation of the innovation and forward thinking that exists within the Herefordshire and Worcestershire business community."