It is not surprising to hear news that Dame Kelly Holmes has earned another first place.

However, her latest achievement was not on the track but in the business world, as the double Olympic gold medalist picked up a gong at the Kent Independent Traders Awards.

Her coffee shop Café 1809 in Hildenbourough, where she grew up, picked up the hospitality award at the event in the Great Danes Hotel in Maidstone.

More than 120 people attended the black tie ceremony last night, sponsored by the Federation of Small Businesses, with 12 awards handed out.

Geoff Wilkinson of Wilkinson Construction Consultants in Kings Hill took home the Professional Achievement Award, while Barbara Dunford from Bearsted-based Kent Community Events was recognised for Contribution to the Community.

Founder Hilary Steel said: “We had over 50 entries in some categories this year, so just reaching finalist status is a great achievement.

“Every year I’m so impressed by the incredibly talented business men and women in this county, and proud of the mark they are making on the UK business community.

“We have seen winners from previous years go on to achieve incredible things, and looking at the standard of entrants, I’ve no doubt that this year is no exception.”

The winners were:

Retail Business

Ashley’s Bridal

Start-up Business

Illuminate Skin Clinics Ltd

Home Based Business

She Who Bakes

Creative – Digital/Design Business of the Year

Sideways Media Ltd

Creative – Non Digital

Kathryn Cooper Jewellery

Trade Business

Gloss

Marketing and PR Business

AM Marketing

Contribution to the Community

Barbara Dunford – Kent Community Events Ltd

Growth Award

Noted in Style

Customer Service Award

Rockabelly Lifecasts

Professional Achievement Award

Geoff Wilkinson – Wilkinson Construction Consultants Ltd

Hospitality Award (café/pub/restaurant/venue)

Café 1809

Kent’s rising star award

Dr Sophie Shotter – Illuminate Skin Clinics