Wilberforce Cellars wins Business of the Year at 2020 Hawkesbury Local Business Awards

The Hawkesbury Local Business Awards 2020 was held on Wednesday, October 21, in celebration of the Hawkesbury business community.

Wilberforce Cellars had the honour of not just taking home the silverware for Best Hotel/Bottle Shop/Bar, but also the esteemed Business of the Year award.

Jim said he wasn't expecting to win Business of the Year.

"It was quiet humbling," he said. "We had won the award for Best Hotel/Bottle Shop/Bar last year, but it was a bit of a surprise to win Business of the Year.

"Unfortunately I wasn't there to accept the award, but my daughter and mother both were.

"We have the best customers anywhere. The community up here is pretty great and have always supported us."

Wilberforce Cellars is a family owned and run business with many members of Jim's family having worked there in some capacity over the years.

Jim said that he mainly employs locals.

"Our staff are all born and bred in the Hawkesbury, if not in Wilberforce itself," he said.

"It makes a difference ... everyone coming in knows the people working and we know the names of all our customers.

"Customer service is so important to me and I push for everyone who works here to do it well."

Jim said the shop will be undergoing some internal and external renovations, starting in early November.

"We want to brighten up the place," he said. "I hope the renovations will make a better shopping experience.

"We can't make the store bigger, so we will try to make it better.

"We hope to offer the best service that we possibly can, keeping prices low and continuing to do what we have been doing."

Jim thanked the Wilberforce community.

"I couldn't do it without the staff or our customers," he said.