An independent news website has revealed plans to expand after being named its patch’s best micro business at an annual awards.

Island Echo, which serves the Isle of Wight, won Micro Business of the Year at the Isle of Wight Chamber of Commerce Business Awards for Excellence 2019.

Businesses with up to nine staff were eligible for the award, but Island Echo has just one full-time member of staff and two freelancers working in design and sales.

Founded in 2012, the Echo currently publishes more than 350 articles online each month and says it recorded 215,000 visitors and 1.6m page views in June 2019.

From left: Echo publisher Darren Toogood with Matthew Muhlenkamp from Gurit UK, sponsors of the award. Photo credit: Robin Crossley Photographer

Echo publisher and editor Darren Toogood said: “It is a real honour to be named Micro Business of the Year and this is something I am incredibly proud of, especially as we are a truly independent and local news website served the local community from within.

“I was certainly the youngest person to be collecting an award on Friday at the age of 26, as well as being the smallest business in terms of staffing, but that hasn’t prevented Island Echo from growing at a rapid rate since 2012. There are no signs of that growth halting anytime soon.

“We have battled against well-established, multi-million-pound media companies to establish our place within the local news sector – proving that independent micro businesses can truly compete with media giants and overcome significant competitive barriers.

“Over the coming months we look to expand the team and increase the output of our now award-winning news service to 400 articles a month.”

Earlier this year the Echo joined hyperlocal trade body the Independent Community News Network and also received long-awaited accreditation to Hampshire Constabulary.