“IT’S amazing and we’re so happy and proud.” The words of Rosie Tanner, marketing director of Land and Wave after the Swanage-based outdoor activity company was named overall winner at the inaugural Purbeck Business Awards.

It was also named Best Place to Work.

Rosie was joined by her sister, Sophie, operations director, to collect the awards during a glittering ceremony on Thursday (February 23). Between them, they have worked for 23 years at the business, which employs 17 staff, rising to 45 in peak season.

Sophie said: “This is a bit overwhelming, to be honest, but such a lovely boost.

“We’ve worked very hard, especially the last few years, and it’s been tough. It’s such a lovely place to work and we do really appreciate our jobs. People love coming to work.”

Rosie added: “Land and Wave encourages people from all walks of life to come and appreciate, and explore, the outdoors in new ways. From the sea, the beach or the woods. We’re really pleased for our team with these awards and proud of how many people we can support in the local area.”

A total of 12 businesses received awards from Cllr Malcolm Russell, Mayor of Wareham, and Cllr Tina Foster, Mayor of Swanage.

Just under 100 entries and nominations were received with around 50 people attending the lunchtime awards ceremony at Kingston Country Courtyard, near Corfe Castle.

Your Purbeck Gazette was proud to sponsor the New Business Award, won by the Garden Gate Tea Room.

Organiser Nigel Reeve, of Marketing West Events, said the Purbeck Business Awards were among 13 run by his company.

Since the first business awards were staged, in Bridport, three years ago around 1,400 business leaders have attended the various award ceremonies.

Marketing West has invested upwards of £100,000 back into the local economy.

Nigel said: “The businesses here are the backbone of the local economy. Local businesses are absolutely key, whether they’re large or small, to an area’s prosperity. They generate employment, inspire, innovate, change as the world changes and move with it. They boost the local economy, open new markets and are the area’s future. I’m absolutely delighted with how the awards went. The atmosphere was fantastic.
People were cheering and a couple had tears in their eyes. We’ve gone through three or four years of such constant problems, starting with Covid which knocked so many businesses sideways. Running these awards lifts people and makes them happier and talking to other businesses.”

Copy by Dorset Biz News, pictures by Paul Collins/PC Visuals.

The full list of winners is:
Independent Business: Cumulus Outdoors
Green/Eco Business: My Scented Home
New Business: Garden Gate Tea Room
Excellence in Customer Service: Kingston Country Courtyard
Artisans, Arts and Crafts: Purbeck New Wave Gallery
Health & Wellbeing: Lewis Manning Hospice Care
Family Business: Purbeck House Hotel
Café, Pub and Casual Dining: The Horse and Groom
Best Place to Work: Land and Wave
Tourism Attraction: Dorset Adventure Park
Best Small Hotel (Under 12 rooms): The Bear, Wareham
B2B Business: Purbeck Jobs
Overall Winner: Land and Wave

Purbeck Business Awards at Kingston Country Courtyard. Business of the Year, Sophie and Rosie Tanner of Land and Wave.

Purbeck Business Awards at Kingston Country Courtyard. New Business winner, Garden Gate Tearoom.