A FESTIVAL celebrating Worcester's thriving business community has been hailed as a big success raising vital cash for charity.

The fifth annual Festival of Business organised by Worcestershire Enterprise Ltd, the business behind the successful WorcestershireHour, was held at the Chateau Impney Hotel in Droitwich Spa last Friday.

It was the biggest of the festivals so far with 95 businesses and charities represented.

The event kicked off early with a sell-out networking breakfast with 100 delegates attending a lively Sterling Networks big breakfast.

Both the ground floor and mezzanine areas of the exhibition were packed with exhibitors and a regular stream of visitors throughout the day. During the event organiser Stuart Allen from Worcestershire Enterprise Ltd handed over a £500 cheque to Michelle McCracken who received the donation on behalf of the Midlands Air Ambulance Charity.

Mr Allen said: “The feedback from both exhibitors and visitors has been excellent, which makes all the efforts to put on the event worthwhile.

"We couldn’t do the Festival of Business without the support of sponsors and partners, so I would like to thank City Signs, Bank House Hotel, Welcome Telecom and Worcestershire LEP, as well as Areca Design, You Do Better and Business & Innovation Magazine. The Chateau Impney Hotel team have been simply magnificent too.”

Neil Sysum, managing director at SW&A Accountants who exhibited at the event on Twitter said: “I must say that Stuart Allen and the Festival of Business team did an amazing job, such an awesome event beautifully executed. Thanks for having us as part of such a great day!”

Duncan Laker, from one of the event sponsors Welcome Telecom Ltd, added: “It has been a great day, lots of fun and some great appointments made.”

The Worcestershire Festival of Business event will return to Chateau Impney in September 2019.