Four described as heroes of business

11:06am Thursday 17th July 2008

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FOUR entrepreneurs, one from Broadway and three from Evesham, have been named business heroes in the Barclays Trading Places Awards.

A total of eight businesses were presented with certificates in Droitwich last week.

The awards are designed to recognise people who have overcome adversity by setting up and running a successful business.

Lasting Impressions is a beauty salon in Broadway run by Marie-Therese Cross, who is originally from the Seychelles.

In 1994, Marie-Therese moved to the UK with her husband and children - a huge culture shock for the whole family.

Nevertheless, they found their feet and Marie-Therese worked hard to gain NVQs in Beauty Therapy. This eventually led to her opening her own salon in 2007.

Fish and Anchor Leisure is the vehicle through which Luke Brittain runs The Fish pub in Offenham. Before deciding to set up his pub business Luke worked as a financial consultant. He then decided on a change of career and bought his pub.

Chris Leeder and Yvonne Workman from Evesham had to battle illness while turning their business dreams into reality.

When Yvonne was diagnosed with breast cancer, Chris, who had also battled the disease in his youth, helped to support and nurse her back to health.

The couple are animal lovers and decided to set up Bolstrode Kennels and Training Centre last year.

Steve and Diane Salter, who run Teve's Tasties in Evesham High Street, show that the winners will let nothing stand in their way.

Steve had been a naval chef for 22 years and Diane had a successful career in management when she was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis. The husband and wife team decided to branch out on their own and opened their delicatessen business in 2007.

Barclays Marketing Director for Local Business John Davis, who was also a judge on the panel, said "The calibre of this year's entries is really outstanding and we hope that with this recognition, these Worcestershire companies will continue on the road to success."