One of Kent’s oldest firms has won glory in the county’s oldest business awards.

Passmores Portable Buildings, based in Strood, has been making sheds and other timber structures since 1909. Now it has

another reason to celebrate after scooping top prize in the 25th anniversary Medway Business Awards.

David Jones, who was editor of the Kent Evening Post when he founded the awards in 1984 in the wake of closure of Chatham Royal Navy Dockyard, presented a trophy and cheque for £2,000 to the firm at a gala dinner in Priestfield Stadium, Gillingham.

Director Stuart Slaughter said the award was a huge honour. The award had taken the firm by surprise and no one had thought how to mark the occasion. “We haven’t really had time to celebrate our centenary and this will give us the push we need to do something,” he said.

The family-run manufacturer of sheds, garages, stables, carriage houses, garden offices and sports pavilions was one of 12 finalists chosen from 43 entrants in this year’s contest, sponsored by leading Medway and Kent organisations.

Admiral Sir Ian Garnett, chairman of Chatham Historic Dockyard Trust, a new sponsor, spoke about the transformation of the Dockyard since 1984, saying it was now a “regenerated community” with 400 residents, 112 business units, 1,000 jobs and attracting 150,000 visitors a year.

Cllr Jane Chitty, portfolio holder for strategic development and economic growth for Medway Council, a supporter of the awards since the start, said the dockyard closure had ripped the heart out of the community but over the past 25 years, Medway had become a vibrant centre of diversified business. “These awards are a celebration of business and entrepreneurs, of sheer bravery and bloody-mindedness.”

More than 200 people attended the glittering silver anniversary event which was hosted by former BBC presenter Geoff Clark. Category winners were Education Sense, HDH Security Systems, Navigation Productions, Virtual Gym, Waterman Offshore and Base Event Production.

All the results and pictures in the Medway Messenger on Friday.

(Picture: Mick Gell)