Believe in Gloucester Awards 2024 winners revealed
This was the city at its best, a showcase of its stars, a celebration of what makes it special, of why it has become so loved - this was the Believe in Gloucester Awards 2024.
Dear Readers,
Today we give the entire edition over to the Believe in Gloucester Awards 2024, staged on Wednesday evening last week (20 November), this was a showpiece, black-tie gala event that filled the Grade II-listed guildhall with the great and good of the city and with its heroes.
This was the return of an awards ceremony founded in 2013 to fan the flames of pride, to help the city learn how to celebrate what we now regard as the beginning of its modern renaissance, by shining the spotlight on its great businesses, initiatives, charities and individuals that help make it so special.
And speaking of pride, The Raikes Journal is very proud to say it was the media partner for this year’s event, which was organised by Gloucester BID, the influential group championing the city centre, its businesses, organisations and events.
Despite a five-year hiatus there were some familiar faces at the Westgate Street venue for the awards, not least BBC reporter Steve Knibbs who returned to host proceedings as only he can.
But what was new was the city the awards looked out on. The pride the event was set up to restore was clearly alive and well and in the hall it was clear the city also has a newfound confidence.
Massive credit should go to Gloucester BID, of course, for its efforts to bring the clearly much-loved awards back, to Emily Gibbon, BID manager, for leading the charge, to the team of Mhairi Ball, Paul James and Jenny Eastwood who worked tirelessly as volunteers to make it all happen, and to the staff at the guildhall for making everyone so welcome.
This was an event that brought together Gloucester’s great and good, from its MP, Alex McIntyre, its Dean the Very Reverend Andrew Zihni, its Mayor, Cllr Lorraine Campbell, leader of the city council, Jeremy Hilton and representatives from all the sponsors who backed it.
I hope you enjoy the read. Have a great week.
Andrew Merrell (editor).
NB: Raikes publishes probably the best-read business-related email ‘newsletter’, pound for pound, in Gloucestershire.
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Believe in Gloucester Awards 2024 winners revealed
This was the city at its best, a showcase of its heroes, a celebration of what makes it special, of why it has become so loved and why its star continues to rise. This was the Believe in Gloucester Awards 2024.
Showcasing the very best that the city has to offer - from its businesses, charities and organisations to the individuals that help make it special - the Believe in Gloucester Awards 2024 had it all.
When master of ceremonies, Steve Knibbs, BBC reporter and proud Glostonian, announced that he ‘believed in Gloucester’, and asked the audience at the Guildhall if they did too, the room erupted in unison.
Everyone, it seems, believes in the city now, which was the aim of the awards when they were founded in 2013 – to bring the city together, to make it proud of its achievements and to celebrate its successes.
Organisers, Gloucester BID, want to ensure that momentum continues and the efforts of those doing the heavy lifting to raise the bar city-wide - the ones making the place they live and work special - are recognised and applauded for their efforts.
Emily Gibbon, manager of the BID, the group that represents city centre businesses and champions events on its patch, said: “We have seen many changes in Gloucester since the awards were first launched, many changes for the better too, but the key thing the city has to offer is the people.
“We adapt, we find a way and we do that through working together. And what we have today is a fantastic place to live and work and the awards show that.
“The city has a way of creeping up on you and giving you a warm hug.
“The reason it does that is because of the communities here. And it is important we celebrate that.”
As well as the joint headline sponsors, Gloucester Quays and WSP Solicitors, Gibbon also singled out volunteers Mhairi Ball, Paul James and Jenny Hawthorne for making the awards happen.
Silas Miller, marketing manager at WSP Solicitors, a long-term supporter of the awards, said: “The city of Gloucester has become somewhere very special to me.
“It has a lot going on – the improvements to the infrastructure, the economic growth, the opportunities for collaboration; it is a really thriving, forward-looking place.
“It helps make the whole region a great place to live and work.”
Co-headline sponsor, Gloucester Quays - another long-standing supporter - can lay claim to inspiring the awards themselves.
When the boss of Peel Holdings, John Whittaker, chairman of Peel Group, announced his business would be investing £248 million to create the Quays outlet centre such was the lack of confidence in the city he was asked “why?”.
His reply, “because I believe in Gloucester,” resonated so powerfully it became front-page news and inspired the awards themselves.
Lauren Hopkins, marketing director for Gloucester Quays, at the awards with centre manager Owen Acland, said: “Peel Holdings made an investment in the city then and it continues to invest.
“Obviously, the city has grown so much and continues to thrive and we want to be part of recognising that progress and everyone who plays a part in it.”
The positivity was everywhere we turned.
Alex McIntyre, the MP of Gloucester, said: “It is brilliant that the awards are taking place again. We have some fantastic businesses and organisations in the city and we should be celebrating them.
“We should be shouting about what is going on in this city from the rooftops.”
Tom Jones, head of income generation and communications at Young Gloucestershire, which supports the mental and physical wellbeing of young people and their families in Gloucestershire, attended as a VIP guest.
Jones said: “What’s good about these awards is they are celebrating people and businesses that are so often overlooked. Small independent businesses are being recognised and that is a good thing.
“It is easy for us to look across Gloucester and see the shiny big things - like The Forum, which is great, but those small companies, the people who are born and bred here, they are the ones that keep it going. They need to be celebrated.
“We are not very good at showing off in Gloucester, but we are a good city. I know we have our problems too, but I also know we have a lot of good that deserves to be recognised and rewarded.”
Councillor Lorraine Campbell, Mayor of Gloucester, agreed.
“It is important that we come together and turn the spotlight on some of the amazing work that is going on, and the fabulous organisations and business and individuals,” said Cllr Campbell.
“When the awards were running before I learned so much about the city from them. There are so many people working together and the awards are a great platform on which to celebrate that.”
Plenty clearly thought the same. Gloucester Guild Hall filled with finalists, friends, families, sponsors and dignitaries.
They were entertained pre-awards and through the interval with live music by city-based singer and guitarist Rob McEwan, food was by county specialists Berry Blue, half-time brownies by Hetty’s Place (which has a bakery on Morelands Trading Estate and its cafe at Gloucester Food Dock), and the flowers on every table were by award-winning city florist Katherine Kear.
(All the images on this edition are by Anna Lythgoe Photography.)
The winners of the Believe in Gloucester Awards 2024 were…
Retailer of the Year Award – sponsored by Gloucester Quays
Winners: Chez Rose.
Sally Rowe, founder and owner of Chez Rose, said: “To win like this is lovely. It’s really quite overwhelming. When you are a business owner you get customers thanking you, of course, but to have the city do that is really special.”
Runners up: Norville (the opticians, 65 Eastgate Street) and Vinyl Vital Signs (record store, Eastgate Shopping Centre).
Gloucester Quays centre manager, Owen Acland, and its marketing manager Lauren Hopkins, presented the award.
Best Customer Service of the Year Award – sponsored by Cass-Stephens Insurance
Winner: The March Hare (16 The Oxebode).
Brian Trott, the owner of The March Hare tearooms, was not available to collect the award, which was instead picked upon his behalf by Steve Knibbs, who passed it back to Matthew Cass for safekeeping.
Runners up: Euro Change (Eastgate Shopping Centre), Fringe Benefits (47 Southgate St), Hetty’s Place café (Gloucester Food Dock).
Hair or Beauty Business of the Year Award - sponsored by The Local Answer
Winner: Kara Hair and Beauty (Southgate Street).
Adrian Ball, co-owner and director of Kara Hair and Beauty in Gloucester, said: “It is great to be singled out. Especially with such strong competition.”
Karl Ball, co-owner and director of Kara Hair and Beauty in Gloucester, said: “The business has been running 60 years now (it was started by Kara and Tom, Adrian and Karl’s parents), and to be recognised like this now is brilliant.”
David Kingscott from The Local Answer, presented the award. He said: “Every year when we have our pink stand on The Cross for Gloucester Day we see how lovely the people of the city are. We are proud to deliver 50,000 copies of our magazine across the city alone.
“The awards are a really good idea that have helped put Gloucester back on the map. Gloucester is such a great place. When Emily (Gibbon, of Gloucester BID) asked me is we would support we said ‘yes’ straight away.
Runners up: Ashley Paul Hairdressing (1 College Court), Beau Hair Studio (Robinswood Hill Social Club), Fringe Benefits and La Bella Beauty (47 Southgate Street).
Sustainability Award of the Year – sponsored by King’s Walk Shopping Centre
Winner: Roots Refills.
Rosie Hart, co-founder of Roots Refills, which is in the old Roots Coffee & Community building on Alvin Street, Kingsholm, said: “We are absolutely over the moon. We are so pleased, but we could not have done any of this without the support of the community. Thank you to everyone who voted for us.”
Will James, marketing and commercial manager at Colliers, which manages King’s Walk Shopping Centre, presented the award.
He said: “We are looking after a number of commercial spaces in Gloucester which are a key part of the city. Sustainability is a key part of our own business and so supporting sustainable businesses through this awards was an obvious choice for us. We are part of the community and want to support it.”
Runners up: Gloucestershire College, Gloucester Willow Coffin Company.
Heritage/Regeneration Award - sponsored by Gloucester City Council.
Winner: Cathedral Quarter.
Claire Dovey-Evans, Cathedral Quarter project officer at Gloucester City Council, collected the award. She said: “This win was not expected. We were up against really strong competition. It was quite a shock.
“This was not just a council project, this was Gloucester BID, Gloucester Culture Trust and more working together and the hard work of many others in the community who came together to make it possible. Funding came from Historic England.”
Cllr Jeremy Hilton, leader of the city council, presented the award.
Runners up: Aqua Construction (based in Quedgeley), High Street Heritage Action Zone, The Folk of Gloucester (the city heritage community centre).
Community Project of the Year – sponsored by Gloucestershire County Council
Winner: Gloucester Feed the Hungry.
Hash Norat, chief executive officer and founder of volunteer organisation Gloucester Feed the Hungry, said: “I am gobsmacked. This is for everyone who has made what we do happen.
“This is our city. If we don’t care about it we are failing it. There are many people here who need support, and if we can help just one of them then we are winning.”
Cllr Stephen Davies, leader of Gloucestershire County Council, presented the award.
Runners up: C21 Chapter One (C2I Chapter One provides a comprehensive package of support that is tailored to each young person), The Folk of Gloucester (the city heritage community centre).
Event of the Year Category – sponsored by GMS Group.
Winner: Gloucester Goes Retro (the city’s vintage fashion, retro music festival).
Karen Pearson, from Gloucester Goes Retro, said: “When councillor Colin Organ first set this up 10 years ago we never thought it would become what it has and mean so much to people.”
Karen Organ, the wife of the late Cllr Organ, said: “We are delighted to have won.”
Kevin, Cllr Organ’s son, said: “This means so much to us on all kinds of levels.”
Simon Williams from GMS Security, sponsor of the Event of the Year category, presented the award.
Runners up: Gloucester History Festival, Pride in Gloucestershire (a ‘celebration and advocacy’ for the LGBTQ+ community across the county).
Bar or Pub Award of the Year – sponsored by Gloucester City Safe.
Winner: The Fountain Inn.
Helen Bates, landlady of The Fountain Inn, Westgate Street, said: “Public houses are still very much at the centre of the city and it is great they are very much part of the awards.
“Gloucester has changed so much over the years and my staff, who I call my family, have worked so hard seven days a week to build a great pub that is part of the city. They deserve this award.”
Roger White, president of IT support firm The White House, but wearing his hat as chairman of Gloucester City Safe on the night, the sponsor of the Bar or Pub of the Year category, presented the award.
Runners up: The Hop Kettle pub and Our House bar (both based at Gloucester Food Dock).
Food Business of the Year – Sponsored by Gloucester Food Dock
Winner: Greek on the Docks.
Yiannis Karayiannis, co-owner of the restaurant with his brother Georgios Karayiannis and Georgios’ wife, Athina Kalaitzi, said: “It is so good to win this. When we first talked about setting up the restaurant people thought we were crazy.
“But we wanted to give something to the city, we wanted to create somewhere special. I think this award helps show that we are managing to do that.”
Kyla Hyett, manager of Gloucester Food Dock, presented the award. She said: “It’s fantastic that the awards have come back, and brilliant to be able to celebrate success like this with everyone and showcase just how much the city has to offer now.”
Runners up: Coal Kitchen (restaurant and cocktail bar, Merchants Road, Gloucester Quays), Hetty’s Kitchen (Unit 31 Morelands Trading Estate, Bristol Rd and Gloucester Food Dock).
New Business of the Year – sponsored by Kara Hair and Beauty.
Winner: Busy Creative Bees (Bell Walk).
Adrian Ball, co-owner of Kara Hair and Beauty, sponsor of the New Business of the Year category, presented the award.
Emma Weyman, founder of Busy Creative Bees (which stocks baby and toddler clothes and more), said: “It is absolutely fantastic to win.”
Runners up: Cauldron Creations (5 College Court), Gloucester Car Boot and Market (Hempsted Meadow), Home Helpers.
Small Business of the Year – sponsored by Davies & Partners Solicitors.
Winner: Lean on Me Care Services.
Claire Moody, founder and owner of Lean on Me Care Services, said: “This is amazing. Absolutely amazing! I never thought I would win.
“I only set the business up by accident, to show there could be someone there you can depend on, that there is good care out there, and I’ve worked so hard to do that. I’m thrilled.”
Kirsten Compton, director of Davies & Partners Solicitors, presented the award.
Runners up: Cosmic Tree (84 Westgate Street).
Business of the Year – sponsored by WSP Solicitors.
Winner: Broomfield Care.
Jessica Sterry, Sharon Middlemore and Charlotte Greener came up to the stage to collect the award.
Greener said: “We just can’t believe it. We are so pleased.”
Sterry said: “It’s amazing. Vicky (Hall - the founder) will be over the moon!”
Silas Miller, head of marketing and business development WSP Solicitors, presented the award.
Runners up: A Star Taxis (107 Eastgate Street), Cass-Stephens Insurance Ltd (Windsor House, Barnett Way, Barnwood).
Charity of the Year – sponsored by Eastgate Shopping Centre.
Winner: Gloucester City Mission.
Louise Mackenzie, general manager of the mission, said: “We are extremely grateful to be recognised. This is for everyone at the mission who makes what we do possible.”
Jason Robinson of Eastgate Shopping Centre, presented the award. He said: “From Eastgate Shopping Centre’s point of view we are based here in the heart of the city and we know many of the organisations and businesses at the awards personally.
“We are at the heart of the community here and we want to support that incredible community and what it does.”
Runners up: Catch a Smile (helping people with disabilities and special needs enjoy fishing. Based in Quedgeley), Charlie’s Community Support (support for anyone affected by cancer. Based in Madleaze Road).
Young Ambassador of the Year – sponsored by King’s School Gloucester.
Winner: Christopher Hancock.
Judges said: “Christopher has always gone the extra mile for others, whether it is running a half marathon for Maggie’s or helping to provide food for the homeless on the streets. He currently a gives up his time to help at Gloucester Feed the Hungry as well as being a young rugby match official and volunteer referee.”
Christopher Hancock, said: “I am really pleased. I really didn’t know anything about this until my mum told me I was in some awards. She was meant to be in Germany today, but has cancelled that so she could be here.”
Katie, Christopher’s mother, said: “When I think about what he does, for someone so young, I still find it amazing. He has raised thousands of pounds with is sponsored runs too.”
Runners up: Hallie Mant, Leah Ives.
David Morton, headmaster of King’s School Gloucester presented the winner.
Ambassador of the Year Award – sponsored by the University of Gloucestershire.
Winner: Matt Cass.
Matt Cass, a director of Cass-Stephens Insurances Ltd, said: “I am not sure what to say. When I looked at who I was up against I never ever thought I would win. They both do so much for the city. I am very proud.”
Runners up: Justin Hudson, Minette Lane.
Dr Matthew Andrews, chief operating officer and pro vice-chancellor student experience of the University of Gloucestershire, presented the award.
Dr Andrews said: “We are very proud to be the university for the city and for Gloucestershire. To be able to support awards like this and winners like Matt is brilliant for us. It helps show what a brilliant county we have.”
Lifetime Achievement Award.
This award celebrates that special someone who has dedicated time and energy into making this city what it is today. Former city council leader Paul James presented the award.
Winner: Mark Hawthorne.
Cllr Mark Hawthorne MBE, the outgoing leader of Gloucestershire County Council, said: “I would like to thank the people of Gloucester for this. They have given me the most amazing experience of my life and allowed me to try and put back something into the community - as well as given me some amazing memories. Thank you.”
The award was presented by Paul James, former leader of Gloucester City Council.