Havering Small Business Awards
We are proud to announce the Havering Small Business Awards for 2022/23 to celebrate the diverse range of small, consumer-focussed businesses across our borough.
These awards are our chance to thank them for going above and beyond.
The Romford Business Improvement District (BID) are key sponsor for the awards. Many thanks to them and our media partner Time 107.5 FM.
Follow the Havering Small Business Awards 2022/23 on social media by searching #HaveringSBA.
We’re collating the results from the nominations right now. Please check back here on Wednesday 8 March 2023 to vote for our finalists.
The first nine categories are open to nominations from all residents, with the final award, the ‘Havering Small Business of the Year’ chosen from the winners of the other awards by a panel of Council officers and sponsors.
Best Small or Independent Business
Small and independent retailers and businesses make up the backbone of Havering’s economy.
From the family-owned bakers, boutiques and florists, to independent care companies or solicitors, this award celebrates the best of Havering’s small businesses.
Nominees must not be owned or managed by a larger corporation, including a franchise business. Independent businesses with more than one premises are eligible to enter.
Sponsored by Quantum Group.
Best Beauty or Service Business
Beauty parlours have been a staple of the British high street for decades, with the range of treatments continuing to grow through the years.
From nail bars to hairdressers, masseurs to tattoo artists, this award is open for businesses that have kept us looking and feeling great.
If you would like to discuss sponsorship this category, please contact communications@havering.gov.uk.
Best Take Away
Where would we be without the Great British take away?
Whatever you’re in the mood for, be it Fish and Chips, Pizzas, Asian food, or something entirely different, Havering has an impeccable selection of take away restaurants to cater for everyone’s taste – and we all have our favourites.
If you would like to discuss sponsorship this category, please contact communications@havering.gov.uk.
Best Hospitality Business
From pubs, bars and clubs, restaurants and cafes, to independent hotels, now is your chance to champion your favourite hospitality business in Havering.
Nominees must be small and independent businesses.
Franchises or chain restaurants are not eligible for this award.
Sponsored by Hills Prospect.
Best Tradesperson
We couldn’t celebrate Havering’s wealth of small businesses without recognising the tradespeople that always save the day.
From plumbers to electricians, gardeners to carpenters, this award is for sole traders or independent tradespeople who always deliver the best service for the people of Havering and are always on hand when disaster strikes.
If you would like to discuss sponsorship this category, please contact communications@havering.gov.uk.
Best Customer Experience
Customer care is vital to the success of a business, it’s important that businesses, especially small and independent ones, maintain good relationships with customers.
We want to receive nominations for small businesses that are always looking to help customers and their communities, whether there’s always a smiling face behind the counter, or a polite voice on the other end of the phone.
If you would like to discuss sponsorship this category, please contact communications@havering.gov.uk.
Best Shopfront
A great-looking shopfront can set you aside from the competition on your high street.
We all know that one shop that pushes window-dressing to the extreme - whether that’s a themed holiday, or a pristine presentation all year round.
Nominations for this award must include a picture of the shopfront and anything we need to know that sets your nomination apart from anyone else.
If you would like to discuss sponsorship this category, please contact communications@havering.gov.uk.
Best Social Enterprise or CIC
It has never been more important to pay tribute to social enterprises and community interest companies (CICs) across the borough, many of which jumped at a moment's notice to help the community.
This is your chance to shine a spotlight on these hidden heroes of Havering.
Nominees must be registered as a social enterprise or community interest company to be eligible for this award.
If you would like to discuss sponsorship this category, please contact communications@havering.gov.uk.
Best Newcomer (less than a year old)
Havering has been called the Start-up Capital of London – and it is easy to see why, with so many fantastic new businesses setting up for the first time in our borough.
From small online shops to start-up tech SMEs, this award recognises the best new small business in Havering that was set up in 2022.
Note: Nominees must have begun trading from 13 February 2022 to be eligible for this award. Businesses that were trading before February 2022 can still be nominated for other awards.
Supported by Havering Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
The Havering Small Business of the Year Award
The Havering Small Business of the Year Award is a special award given to one of the winners from the other categories.
This award will be selected by a panel including the Council and sponsors, and given to the small business that we feel represents the very best that Havering has to offer.
Main sponsor, Romford Business Improvement District.
Vote for your winner
The nominations round closed on Monday 27 February 2023.
We have taken the first round’s results and checked to make sure there aren’t any known issues to prevent the business from being included in the finalists list.
The finalists list is the top three for each category with the most votes and you can then vote for your winner in each category.
Voting will close on 29 March 2023 at 5pm.
Terms and conditions
A small business is a business with fewer than 50 employees.
Nominations must be completed using the online form.
The top three businesses that receive the most nominations for each category will go through to the final voting round.
In the event of a tie, a panel will choose which businesses to go through based on the strength of each nomination.
Havering Council reserves the right to refuse nominations, or exclude finalists if they do not meet these conditions.
Businesses subject to trading standards or public protection investigations or breaches may be excluded – exclusions will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
The winner of each category will receive a trophy, certificate, and vinyl window sticker naming the business a winner.
Prizes cannot be exchanged for cash.
Havering Council reserves the right to postpone or cancel the awards at any time.
Nominees must not be owned or managed by a larger corporation.
Independent businesses with more than one premises are eligible to enter.
Franchises, chain restaurants and brewery-owned pubs are not eligible for these award.