A wedding venue hailed its team of “people pleasers” as it was named Business of the Year at the Medway Business Awards.

About 50 of the 80 staff at Cooling Castle Barn turned out to see their company take the top prize at the ceremony at the Priestfield Stadium on Friday, attended by 260 people.

The team crammed onto the stage to pick up the award after letting out perhaps the largest cheer in the 33-year history of the event when the firm’s name was read out.

General manager Rebecca Collins said she was “absolutely thrilled” to win.

She said: “We are in hospitality because we’re people pleasers and to be the general manager and have that mesmerising response was overwhelming.

“To lead a team and for them to be so pleased and so thrilled has been a highlight for me.”

Cooling Castle Barn was among five winners on the night from 12 finalists.

The Excellence in Client Service Award went to Fingerprint Financial Planning, while the Innovation Award was handed to Frameless Glass Curtains.

The Diversification and Growth gong was given to Beeline Sameday and the Success Through Training Award was picked up by Anchor Support Services.

Chair of the judges Susan Jennings, of law firm Furley Page, said: “The finalists this year showcase once again the diversity of businesses we have in Medway.

“From food and hospitality, fun days out, financial planning healthcare and funeral arrangements to technical IT services, recruitment, manufacturing and logisitics. It’s all happening in Medway.”

Pick up a full picture spread of the awards in the Thursday edition of the Medway Messenger.