London Duck Tours named Lambeth Business of the Year

The annual Lambeth Business Awards aim to recognise local business success and provide networking opportunities. The awards are organised by South London Business and funded by Lambeth Council and Lambeth First.

Managing director of London Duck Tours John Bigos said: "I think it's a magnificent award and we've worked hard over the last six to seven years. To get people to vote for us is just fantastic."

London Duck Tours runs sightseeing tours around the capital carrying 130,000 passengers a year in its amphibious vehicles.

It plans to increase its existing fleet to seven vehicles and introduce a new World War II themed tour in the summer.

The company was also awarded the Best Customer Service and Best Hospitality, Leisure, Travel and Tourism Business gongs.

The amphibious vehicles are based on Hercules Road and the tours start on Chicheley Street near the London Eye.

Other winners to share the £10,000 prize fund included Best Woman in Business Caroline Bryant from the Futures Theatre Company which is based in the creative crypt at St John's Waterloo. Ms Bryant is also chair of the Southbank Mosaics social enterprise.

Waterloo Quarter BID won Best Green Business for their Recycle at Work scheme which provides free and subsidised recycling services for local businesses.

"We're really delighted to win and very pleased to be recognised for the work we do and the work businesses in the area are doing to try to cut waste," says marketing and communications manager Kate Vinall.

The judging panel said the standard of entrants was very high. Cllr John Kazantzis, Lambeth Council cabinet member for employment and enterprise, said: "I was hugely impressed by the quality of flourishing businesses across Lambeth in what has been a challenging economic climate over the past year."

• See a full list of winners at www.lambethbusinessawards.co.uk