BEAUTY salons swept the board at an annual awards bash honouring the best small firms in Exeter.

Bosses and staff from shortlisted companies joined other members of the city's business community at Havana bar on the Quay to find out who were the winners of this year's FSB Celebrating Small Businesses awards.

The coveted title of favourite local employer went to Andrew Barnes, of HQ Hair and Beauty, in the Harlequin Centre.

Stylist Teresa Pilcher, who nominated him for the award, said: "He's just a really thoughtful, nice boss. I have worked for him on and off for about 25 years — I have left twice but his professionalism and fairness have always drawn me back."

Cracking open the champagne to celebrate with his staff, Andrew said: "I'm a bit stunned, really. I think it was Richard Branson who said your staff are your best asset, and I couldn't agree more.

"It's something I have come to realise, that without your staff you wouldn't be anywhere.

"As a small business it's really like a family. I often have people join from school and they often don't have high qualifications or a lot of confidence, and it's nice to be able to see them develop."

The awards, organised by the Federation of Small Businesses in conjunction with the Express & Echo, were taking place for the third year.

And Lefroy Beauty Therapy in Gandy Street made it two wins out of three by retaining the title of favourite local business.

Salon owner Rebecca Parkin, who bought the salon two-and-a-half years ago and employs six staff, said: "All our clients support us and without them we wouldn't have won. They were very honoured that the salon they go to won the award last year and it's been good for advertising because people like to see that you have won an award."

Speaking at Friday night's event, Exeter MP and minister for the South West Ben Bradshaw said the new network of regional economic councils was helping the Government keep in tune with the needs of small firms amid the current economic turmoil.

He said: "Small businesses are the lifeblood of our economy. What's important in a situation like this is that the Government tries even harder to listen to the voice of small businesses."

He added: "I do think we should be careful about talking ourselves into a depression when the fundamentals of our economy, not least here in Exeter, are very strong.

"We have low interest rates, low unemployment, good skills and low inflation, and with global food and commodity prices finally coming down that will reduce inflation, which should enable the Bank of England to cut interest rates further, so I think there's every prospect that the downturn or recession will be short and shallow."

On the aims of the awards, Nigel Hillier, chairman of the Exeter FSB branch, said: "People who run small businesses work extremely hard, often not for great rewards financially, and provide a valuable service, so we really want to provide an opportunity to celebrate that and get them recognised by people in Exeter.

"I hope even more businesses will enter the awards next year."

Runner-up for the favourite local employer prize was insurance and financial advisors RK Shipman, of Barnfield Crescent.

Orange Blossom Wellness Centre in Lower North Street came second in the favourite local business category.