Blue Apple wins prestigious business award

Blue Apple Theatre has won a business award for its innovative participatory work with people with learning disabilities over the last year, which it has continued to do online during the pandemic.

Blue Apple won the Social Enterprise award at the 2020 Winchester Business Excellence Awards, organised in partnership by The Hampshire Chronicle, Hampshire Chamber of Commerce and Winchester BID and were open to businesses within the Winchester District to recognise their achievements.

Simon Morris, General Manager at Blue Apple, commented: "Everybody at Blue Apple is thrilled to have won the social enterprise award this year. Our team of dedicated people - from our trustees to all our participants, including our staff and volunteers and of course our extended team of freelance arts professionals that we work with - has pulled together to ensure our programme has continued to shine bright for everyone in this difficult year. It’s wonderful to receive this recognition and we are really grateful for everyone’s support."

The awards ceremony was held online this year and winners were announced in a Facebook Live event. Judge and Winchester BID executive director, Paul Spencer, said: "In what has been such a challenging year for everyone and indeed for businesses, it has been amazing to see so many nominations for this year’s awards.

"There are some really inspirational examples of how businesses in the Winchester District have adapted with innovative ideas for how they can continue to serve their customers and clients and support their community during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“It is important to recognise and celebrate success and good work, and even more so during what has been a difficult year for us all, and every business which has received a nomination should be very pleased with their achievements this year."