Organisers hail 'truly amazing atmosphere' at this year's Melton BID Business Awards
Organisers of this year’s business awards showcase in Melton Mowbray have hailed the ‘truly amazing atmosphere’ and the camaraderie between all of those competing for the honours.
The public this year made more than 3,500 nominations for the 16 categories at the Melton BID Business Awards – an increase of 400 per cent from the number received during the inaugural year in 2025.
Black Dragon Games won the coveted Best Business award at the presentation night at The Harboro Hotel after judges decided on the individual award winners.
Melton BID manager, James Colclough, told the Melton Times: “What a truly amazing atmosphere at the BID Business Awards last Friday and such a joy to see the Melton business community coming together to support, recognise and celebrate each other.
"Our public nominations had dramatically increase from 900 in 2025 to 3,469 this year which just goes to show the passion held for our homegrown businesses here in Melton.
"Getting down to a final 16 category winners from over 260 businesses was no easy task for the panel of judges, but what really shone through was the support the 48 finalists in the room showed to each other – whoever took the trophy.
"Melton BID brought a new business awards back to the town last year and the event has gone from strength to strength – look our for some exciting news soon about the 2027 Awards, where we hope to be even better.”
Winners of this year’s awards, with finalists in brackets:
Best Business – Black Dragon Games.
Arts & Culture Award – Melton Theatre (Ashley Hamilton Dance Company; Kick Up The Arts).
Best Beauty Business – Beauty Box Melton (AIM Beauty and Wellbeing; The Beaute HQ).
Best Café & Coffee Shop – Steam & Bean (Sip & Play; The Coffee Hub by Radiant Lotus).
Best Independent Business – Black Dragon Games (Roc-Locks; The Mighty Pop).
Health & Wellbeing Award – Laura Moulds – 360 Fitness (Josh Walker – JW Wellbeing and Fitness); The Melton Clinic).
Leisure & Tourism Award – HistoryFare (Melton Mowbray 1940s Weekend; Melton Carnegie Museum).
Best Local Food Producer – Millie’s Meats (Best Sausage Company; Vine Farm Dairy).
Best New Business – Balloon Bar (Cheeky Blinder Tattoo; Poppy-Joyful Treats).
Best Pub or Hospitality – The Black Swan (The Boat Inn; The Crown Inn).
Best Restaurant – Noel’s Arms (Harboro Hotel; The Grange).
Best Takeaway – Jasmine House (Fire & Embers Pizza; Prima Pizza).
Outstanding Customer Service Award – Roc-Locks (Balloon Bar; Sugar Shamrocks).
Professional Services Award – Tenders UK (D&E House Clearances & Removals; Elegant Wealth Management).
Sports & Exercise Award – Swim Six Hills (Aurae Reformer; Steel Yard Gym).
Sustainability & Environmental Impact Award – Melton ReCycles (Iris Produce; White Goose Flower Farm).
Business Person of the Year – Sarah Robb – Big Bums Little Bums (Adam Smith – A S Doors; Tom Fox – The Mighty Pop).
Award sponsors: Melton Building Society, Saint-Gobain, NFU Mutual Melton Mowbray, Melton Borough Council, Stockyard Melton Mowbray, The Noel's Arms Melton Mowbray, Tom Byrne at Rhodes Wealth Management and Diagnostic Therapy by JBE.