Two groups of budding business owners from Shrewsbury College scooped the highest awards of the night at the Shropshire Young Enterprise Awards at Park Inn, Telford, on Friday.

The awards, which form part of an international event, recognise the hard work, initiative and inspirational attributes that young business men and women across the county have achieved over the last year.

48 teams across Shropshire attended the evening’s event, along with hundreds of specially invited guests. Only three teams were asked to present their companies on the evening, two of which were from Shrewsbury College. (Mellini and P2S).

The College’s Young Enterprise team and clothing-brand company, Mellini, were nominated for nine of the awards, five of which they scooped, including top prize of the night for ‘best overall company!’

Sarah Probert, Curriculum Leader for Business, said: “I’m thrilled with the hard work all three of our Enterprise groups have put in in this last year. Clothing brand, Mellini, team enterprise group, P2S and unique craft company Tiny Treasures, have all proven that determination and hard work goes a long way.

“For one of our teams to have won the biggest award of the night is phenomenal. Mellini have worked exceptionally hard and it is great to see them receive so much recognition. The next step for them will be to work towards the regional finals next month.

“As a College, we aim to get our students involved in real life experiences and if they can do that while they are studying with us it is a huge advantage.”

Tom Lewis, Marketing Director of Mellini and Level 3 Diploma in Business student, said: “The journey over the last year has been amazing. We have put a lot of hard work into making Mellini a recognisable and exciting brand by attending trade fairs, with robust marketing and using social media.

“We are grateful for the amount of support we have received from local business figures and the local MP, Daniel Kawczynski. Our aim has been to represent Shropshire and we have stuck by the motto of, think local, act global,” he added.

Also bagging a top prize of the night, after being nominated for four awards, was Shrewsbury College’s Team Young Enterprise group, P2S (Pathway to sustain).

The Team Programme inspires students with special educational and support needs to work together as they set up and run their own real company, guided every step of the way by a Young Enterprise Business Adviser.

P2S, have spent the last year incorporating their curriculum subject of sustainability, by inventing toys out of recycled plastic bottles. Keele University have since approached P2S to deliver a session for their Sustainability programme.

Paula Van Ommeren, Curriculum Leader, Pathways to Progression said:  “The support each of the teams from the College showed one another was a real credit to themselves and the college.

“Both Tiny Treasures and Mellini instigated, as they have done previously, an impromptu standing ovation when P2S won their award, it was heart-warming.” She continued.

“I am extremely proud of P2S, and the other Shrewsbury College teams. There was a real team spirit at the awards, something I was honoured to be part of.” She concluded.

The West Midlands regional final will take place on Tuesday June 10 at Coventry University, where Mellini will represent Shropshire. The winners of the Regional final will be in with a chance of winning a grant to help with their business, at the National finals later in the year.

Young Enterprise is an education/business charity that runs a suite of programmes designed to initiate young people into the world of business. The county-wide competition is part of an international event and is the first rung on the ladder of a potential roller-coaster ride for budding business people.

For more information about Business courses at Shrewsbury College please visit www.shrewsbury.ac.uk  or call 01743 342333