He explained he had entered one of the smaller awards categories at the insistence of several others, and did not realise winning it put him in the running for the night’s biggest award. 

While he admitted he was “not one for putting my name forward”, Allen said he was excited to win the category he entered, then settled back to enjoy the rest of the business awards night with some of his staff.

In fact he was at the bar when his name and business was announced as the business of the year.

“It was a humbling experience,” he said. “We had a great night, in fact it was my birthday, so we had a spectacular one.”

Allen said the award win had brought a number of benefits for his business. “It gave us a lot of recognition, in fact a lot more than I expected,” he said.

“It was a real eye opener. “It was even the catalyst to us purchasing our own business property.”

While he worked mainly for customers based out of the area, Allen said the award “was very beneficial to the business”.

Even the award plaque that hung in the business foyer had generated discussion. “It’s tweaked a lot of interest among clients who come in to discuss work,” he said.

Allen encouraged all business owners in the region to enter the awards, saying there was no telling where the entry would lead.