A drinks wholesaler which delivers 3,500 tipples across the county has been revealed as the fastest-growing private company in Kent.

Drink Warehouse UK, based in Ramsgate, increased turnover by 250.5% over the last four years thanks to its seven-day operation delivering spirits, ales and liquors to pubs across the county.

The business was recognised as the leading firm in the MegaGrowth 50, the annual list of Kent’s fastest-growing private firms published by the KM Group – now in its 15th year.

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On average, revenues increased by 96.9% for all the companies featured. Each made major contributions to the county’s economy, with pre-tax profits ranging from £24,000 to £17.4m.

Drink Warehouse has 30 members of staff working from its 30,000sq ft depot.

Managing director Mick Curtis said: “I’m overjoyed. It’s a great achievement for us and great to show a business in Thanet can really perform to this level.

“We have dedicated our lives to the business for the last six years, seven days a week, and now it’s time to look back and see that all of the hardship was worth it.”

Director Demis Farley added: “To have an accolade like this really makes us proud.

“This is quite an old-fashioned industry and we have always wanted to bring a new approach to drinks wholesale. We helps customers sell it and the quicker they can sell it the more we can supply to them.”

Second placed in this year’s list – with a turnover boost of 244.5% – was car dealership Big Motoring World, the UK’s largest independent used-BMW, Mercedes and Audi retailer.

The company, based in West Malling, is aiming to increase staff numbers by 500 people in the coming years as it builds a new showroom in Blue Bell Hill and extends its existing facilities.

Third position was taken by luxury children’s clothes retailer Childrensalon, based in Tunbridge Wells, putting it in the top three for the second time in three years.

It achieved growth of 213.5% after a period of intense investment, supporting its online business by opening new warehousing and head office space, plus hiring new talent, in the last five years. The firm has six warehouses and 247 employees.

As well as highlighting overall turnover growth, MegaGrowth also lists the top 10 fastest-growing companies by export sales.

This year, the best-performing company was fruit and veg wholesaler Gomez, based in Bridge, near Canterbury, increasing overseas revenues by 824.6%.

Sponsors asb law, KrestonReeves and Lloyds Bank presented successful businesses with certificates at a breakfast presentation at Turkey Mill in Maidstone on Wednesday.

Click here to see the full list of MegaGrowth 50 companies for 2016.

To see the fastest-growing firms by export sales, click here.

Click here to see past winners of MegaGrowth 50, as the list celebrates 15 years.