The owner of six hotels across Suffolk has crowned an award-winning year by being named the county's best big business.

The Hotel Folk group was awarded the Large Business of the Year Award at the East Anglian Daily Times 2023 Business Awards.

Chief executive David Scott - who runs the group on behalf of the owners - described the latest award as "fantastic".

The Large Business of the Year award is for companies with a turnover in excess of £5m which demonstrate all-round excellence. They are judged on their trading performance, future objectives and competitive advantage.

The Hotel Folk group came third overall at the awards event, which was held at Milsoms Kesgrave Hall, Ipswich, on September 28.

The big business category, sponsored by chartered accountants Larking Gowen, looked at companies'  investment and development of people, values and mission, environmental strategy, managerial leadership and product/service innovation.

The hotel group - which is privately owned and employs 388 people - operates six hotels across Suffolk.

They include the 15th century Swan at Lavenham Hotel and Spa, The Brudenell and White Lion at Aldeburgh, Thorpeness Golf Club & Hotel, The Crown at Woodbridge, a contemporary inn with rooms and The Crown and Castle restaurant with rooms in Orford. Together they employ some 388 people.

Mr Scott expressed delight at the award.

“This is a fantastic result from many years of hard work and determination by all of our Folk," he said.

“The past five years have seen the business transform, even in the adversity of the pandemic which truly hit the hospitality industry hard.

“I am proud of what we have achieved so far and look forward to what the future holds.”

Earlier this year, The Crown and Castle’s scooped the Best Small Hotel of the Year at the 2023 East of England Tourism Awards. The property also received two AA rosettes for its fine dining and was graded a five star restaurant with rooms.