TRIPLE Helix Wargames, the wargaming centre on the West Wilts Trading Estate, has been named Wiltshire’s new business of the year.
The centre beat off competition from more than 80 entrants across Wiltshire to win the Wessex Association of Chambers of Commerce’s Wiltshire New Business Competition.
A few weeks ago Triple Helix Wargames was named the winners of the Westbury round and went on up against the winners of the other 17 regional finals at the grand final last Friday night at a ceremony at Bowood.
Steven and Charlotte Judson, who are celebrating Triple Helix’s first anniversary this month, say they are delighted have won the competition. Charlotte said, “It’s absolutely amazing! We were very very pleased to win – but shocked and surprised having seen the other entrants as there were some fantastic businesses.”
The business took away £2,000 in prize money, plus publicity, printing and advertising assistance and business development support. They had also earlier been awarded £1,000 for winning the Westbury heat.
Triple Helix have already set aside some of the money from winning the Westbury round to improve their cafe. They are now looking at how the prize money can help them grow as a business, provide more employment, and most importantly develop as a community centre.
Charlotte explained, “What we do is provide a space and the right social welcoming atmosphere for people to come and enjoy their hobby, and part of that process is encouraging young people to get involved with things like intro games where they can meet new people. You’ll find a 10 year old playing against a 50 year old, they’re from completely different backgrounds but they start talking about the game, and there’s very few hobbies you get that mix.
“We give really good customer service, provide food and drink, but we want to become more of a community centre and get involved – I think that’s possibly a key reason why we were the winners. We’re very very excited – we didn’t get home till midnight [from the awards] and we spent the early hours talking about what we’re going to do!”
Charlotte says the prize money can also help the centre get out into schools and youth groups. “There are so many benefits for young people – learning strategy and tactics, reading skills, maths skills, and socialising,” she explained. “So many hobbies relate to computer games or sport – and if you’re not particularly active what else is there to do?”
David Jenkins, President of the Westbury Chamber of Commerce, said, “I’m absolutely delighted that they have won the competition. They put an extremely hard amount of work into their business and as far as I can see they thoroughly deserve winning. They were up against very tough, stiff competition and it was great not only for them but for the town – at long last we are showing there are people and businesses who are aiming high and trying very hard to make a go of things despite the economic climate.
“I think you could put it down to their enthusiasm, dedication, and their determination to make the business successful. If you’ve got those three things you’re well on your way to succeeding.”
