A night of local pride and celebration
The second Tonbridge Business Awards took place at the EM Forster theatre last month. Here we reflect on a brilliant night that saw so many fantastic local independent businesses acknowledged and honoured…
On Thursday June 26, the EM Forster Theatre at Tonbridge School glowed with pride, laughter and applause as the Tonbridge Business Awards 2025 brought together the town’s most inspiring local businesses, entrepreneurs and community champions.
Organised with dedication and passion by Jess Gibson of the TN card, who co-hosted the ceremony alongside Nick Moore of Tunbridge Wells Business Magazine, the evening was far more than an awards event – it was a celebration of the independent spirit that makes Tonbridge shine.
The awards ceremony began with a warm welcome from Tom Tugendhat MP, setting the tone for an evening filled with community pride and local ambition. Guests were then treated to a special film, sponsored by Berry & Lamberts, featuring heartfelt messages from the awards’ sponsors and the charities benefiting from the night’s generosity.
The atmosphere was alive from the start – the drinks reception showcased delicious food from Havet Tonbridge, while live music from finalist MusicStation filled the room with joyful energy, reminding everyone just how rich Tonbridge’s creative talent truly is.
Supported by headline sponsor Charity Bank, and generously backed by a host of local sponsors, the awards night raised an incredible £2,700 for three wonderful Tonbridge charities: Babons Cancer Support, FEAST and West Kent Mind – a powerful reminder that local business success and community kindness go hand in hand.
From new businesses and creative enterprises to health and wellbeing specialists, retailers, changemakers and inspiring individuals, the awards spanned a diverse range of categories. Each finalist brought their own story of resilience, creativity and local impact, showing how vibrant, caring and entrepreneurial the Tonbridge community is.
A special podcast recording from Brilliant Businesses captured all excitement and reflections of winners as they came off stage, and can be listened to on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.
New Business of the Year.
Sponsor: CHS Networks IT Support
WINNER: The Market House
RUNNERS-UP: Grainne Dunne Virtual Assistant, The Pup Cup
FINALISTS: The BBQ Hub, Concept Beauty, Nutley’s Barbers, Rootes Wealth Management, Tonbridge Property
Food and Drink Award.
Sponsor: ConnectaGroup
WINNER: Ben’s Kitchen
RUNNERS-UP: The Leicester Arms, Masala Pantry
FINALISTS: The George and Dragon, The Market House, Opulence, Tonbridge Brewery
Retail Award.
Sponsor: Clarke Williams
WINNER: Karen Alexandra Beauty & Well-being
RUNNERS-UP: Grace Fashion Accessories, Mr Simms Sweet Shop
FINALISTS: The BBQ Hub, Cycle-Ops, Fred. Olsen Travel, Zilch Zero Waste, Wilkinson Eyewear Studio
Creative Business Award.
Sponsor: RankFresh
WINNER: Imogen Partridge Illustration and Design
RUNNERS-UP: MusicStation, The Oast Theatre
FINALISTS: Delilah and Herb, Razzamataz Theatre School, Sarah Hart Photography, The Soldersmith, Where’s My Experience?
Health and Wellbeing Award. Sponsor: Benenden Hospital
WINNER: Ismini Studios
RUNNERS-UP: Anatomy Gyms, Miles Martial Arts
FINALISTS: Consultus Care and Nursing, Foundations, Susie Wanford Osteopathy, Tonbridge Counselling Service, Walk Tonbridge
Hair & Beauty Award
Sponsor: Andrew House Dental Practice
WINNER: Laserday
RUNNERS-UP: Nirvana Beauty, Nutley’s Barbers
FINALISTS: Bambino’s, Concept Beauty, Stradbrook Skin Clinic, Tanbridge, The Traditional Barber Shop
Small Business of the Year.
Sponsor: ABMV Chartered Accountants
WINNER: Tonbridge Garage
RUNNERS-UP: Ridings, The Traditional Barber Shop
FINALISTS: GFHR Consulting, Karen Alexandra Beauty & Well-being, MusicStation, Princess and the Pea Events, Zilch Zero Waste
Large Business of the Year.
Sponsor: CooperBurnett Solicitors
WINNER: CHS Networks Limited
RUNNERS-UP: Foundations, Tonbridge Golf Centre
FINALISTS: Fred. Olsen Travel, Hyllden Heights, Riverside House, Stradbrook Dental & Implant Clinic
Employer of the Year.
Sponsor: GF HR Consulting
WINNER: Consultus Care and Nursing
RUNNERS-UP: DMD Restaurants, Tonbridge Golf Centre
FINALISTS: CHS Networks Limited, Hyllden Heights Care Home, Miles Martial Arts, DGC Security
Businessperson of the Year.
Sponsor: DMD Restaurants
WINNER: Diana Goldsmith
RUNNERS-UP: Emma Broom, David Coleman
FINALISTS: Craig Alexander, Jack Nutley, Suzanne Rice, Wendy Ross, Lauren Young
