It was a big night for businesses across Dumbarton and the Vale last Wednesday as three local companies scooped honours at the West Dunbartonshire Working4Business Award.

Jamestown company Mclaggan Smith Mugs - who produce bespoke patterns and messages for mugs for sale at art galleries, schools and museums - claimed the 'family business' prize sponsored by Dumbarton-based drinks firm Chivas Brothers.

Their creative director Polly Thomson accepted the award on the evening - and said that they were "delighted" to claim the award.

She added: "It's a great thing for all of those that work here and I think the fact that we are a long established company with a great workforce made a difference. There are several generations involved with us, with husbands, wives, daughters and sons following us as employees or as customers."

"Winning the award will be valuable going forward for the business and I take as a really nice accolade for my father, Wally, who set up the company and who fought hard for the business and stuck with it, even during the difficult moments."

They were joined in the winners' circle by Dumbarton music studio, SKapade Studios, which offers music production training in various forms of electronic music and also support artists in the area, as well as young people interested in music.

Steven Galloni from SKapade said: "The whole night was absolutely great and we got a really warm welcome. It makes all the hard work worth it when you're win an award against such good competition, and especially winning an award for community impact, that's just really mindblowing.

"We never expected to win it and people who were there with me said that they've never seen me struggling for words so much."

Steven also spoke of what the future holds for the award-winning studio.

He continued: "We're going to look to continue what we're doing already. We're trying to integrate with schools and work alongside the great social enterprises across West Dunbartonshire to go into local schools and give them more options for the kids."

Their community efforts saw them claim the 'community impact' award, beating out stiff competition from BAFTA-nominated Clydebank film studio 14c Studio and the West Dunbartonshire Environment Trust.

Renton housing association Cordale Housing Association claimed one of the evening's top awards after winning in the 'best performing business with under 25 employees' category.

Margaret McCallion, Cordale Housing Association chairperson said:

“Cordale were honoured and proud to receive this award. Our focus is to be the best landlord we can be, providing our tenants with quality housing and excellent services. This type of external recognition is great to receive, as it provides assurance what we are doing is having a positive impact and we are making a difference.

"The foundations that enabled these achievements were established a few years ago. Our former Chairperson, Isabel Barr, who sadly passed away a couple of years ago, provided the leadership and direction necessary to deliver the improvements we see today.

"Isabel more than anyone helped get Cordale to where we are and this award reflects her immense contribution to Cordale.”

The winners were announced at a glitzy ceremony at Clydebank Town Hall to over 150 guests, who were entertained through the evening by host Kaye Adams and comedian Des McLean, who performed the after dinner entertainment.

The big winners on the night were Clydebank company Campbell and Kennedy, who claimed three awards - 'excellence in customer service', 'excellence in people development', and 'best performing business (more than 25 employees)'.

West Dunbartonshire Council leader Jonathan McColl attended the event, and said: “We are delighted with the response to the first Working4Business awards. The awards have provided a platform for celebrating the category winners and their tremendous achievements.

“The winners really do showcase the best of West Dunbartonshire’s thriving business sector. It is also important to recognise the efforts and achievements of the wider short-listed finalists, and indeed, all the firms which entered the awards.

“We were pleased to welcome a diverse range of guests, with attendees from sectors such as manufacturing, electronics, tourism, social enterprises, as well as businesses of all sizes, and from all around the region – highlighting the breadth of businesses successfully operating and succeeding in the area."