Business award winner Jessica dancing for joy

DANCE academy founder Jessica Long has waltzed off with the title of

Rotherham’s Young Entrepreneur of the Year.

The brains behind Masbrough-based JL Dance Academy took the top prize in the annual awards hosted by Rotherham Youth Enterprise and UK Steel Enterprise.

The 19-year-old’s business was also named Best New Start Up in the awards ceremony at Magna.

“I’m really pleased to receive the awards which come as a real boost for the academy, particularly as we reach the two year mark,” said Jessica, from Parkgate.

“It has been a whole team effort to grow the business. Not only the teachers but the students too, so it will be a double celebration at Christmas.”

Jessica was presented with a special trophy, a cheque for £1,000 and a year’s free membership to Barnsley and Rotherham Chamber in recognition of her achievements

The Most Innovative Business award went to Infinity Digital, a company run by Rebecca Coupe, which helps entrepreneurs, start-ups and small businesses make the most of their marketing budgets.

Rotherham-based Team Katalyst, which launched the town’s first free-running centre earlier this year, was awarded Most Determined to Succeed, while Jack Barton of the Screening Project, which creates original and cutting edge digital media for businesses and charities, was awarded Best Established Business.