Winners of the Believe in Gloucester Awards 2025
One hugely emotional standing ovation honoured a lifetime of giving and a host of incredible businesses, organisations and individuals were named winners at this year's Believe in Gloucester Awards.
“We are here to celebrate what makes Gloucester great; the diverse community, the spirit, the innovation, the great businesses, the hard work. By focusing on these things we remind everyone that this is a city to be proud of,” said Emily Gibbon, manager of Gloucester BID.
This was the introduction to the Believe in Gloucester Awards 2025, staged last night (Thursday 27 November) at the city’s Guild Hall, and doing just what Gibbon underlined above – celebrating some of the very best the city has to offer.
From food and drink venues, cafes, pubs and restaurants, to hairdressers, bookshops, shopping centres, insurance firms, tattoo specialists, charities, civic trusts, major developments, events, independent retailers, and young ambassadors, all fell under the spotlight.
And those winners are listed below, with pictures.
This is the new-look annual event organised by the BID, the powerful group of city centre businesses set up to champion Gloucester.
As ever, it was ably compered by the BBC journalist and presenter Steve Knibbs, one of Gloucester’s own, and made possible by headline sponsors Gloucester Quays and law firm WSP Solicitors and a host of award sponsors and volunteers.
Owen Ackland, centre manager of Gloucester Quays retail and leisure park, said: “I always love this event – probably more than almost any other awards ceremony. It’s authentic. It means something. And it’s great fun.”
It was also a night of high emotions, no more so than when everyone in the room rose to their feet to applaud enthusiastically and loudly – for what felt like five minutes or longer – the work of Nick Broady (pictured below, seated right), whose tireless efforts over many years have delivered so much for so many.
Julie Kent MBE, High Sheriff of Gloucestershire, took to the stage to list just some of his work - as chairman of children’s charity Pied Piper to numerous county charities he has helped, hundreds of thousands of pounds he ‘s helped raise, countless hours he has given for free, Broady has asked for nothing in return.
Unable to make a walk to the stage to receive his award due to the onset of Motor Neurone Disease, he stood to acknowledge the thunderous reception applauding his incredible contribution.
And then there was another hugely popular winner named, which brought back to the stage Emily Gibbon to receive the accolade of Ambassador of the Year ahead of Paul James and Andy Jarrett.
“Thank you,” said Gibbon, doing her best to deflect the groundswell of praise directed at her.
“Andy, it should be you on this stage, not me. And Paul, to be in the company of both of you is incredible. What incredible ambassadors for the city you are.”
As editor of The Raikes Journal, I was honoured to present one of the awards – for Heritage or Regeneration. The winner being the University of Gloucestershire for its city centre campus – the conversion of the former Debenhams building overlooking King’s Square.
“This was not just a project about us (the university), it is about our place in the city and our commitment to being part of the community,” said Camille Stallard, chief finance officer for the university.
“We opened the doors in August and now have 1,200 students on the campus. And the city council has moved the library into the ground floor too.”
Shortlisted for the Heritage or Regeneration Award were construction firm Elijah Willow, the Gloucester Civic Trust, which champions the city’s heritage, and Llanthony Secunda Priory, the canalside site which is now a treasured green space and heritage site.
Gibbon, added: “The Believe in Gloucester Awards shine a light on the individuals and organisations who make our city such a vibrant and inspiring place.
“Gloucester is transforming at an incredible pace, with landmark projects like The Forum and the University’s redevelopment strengthening our city centre and creating new opportunities for everyone.
“This year’s winners truly represent the very best of that energy. We are incredibly proud to celebrate their achievements and the positive impact they make every single day.”
The awards themselves were made by product design and development company Phoenix Consultants, which is based at Jolt Studios in Gloucester.
Other sponsors who made the Believe in Gloucester Awards possible included insurance firm Cass Stephens, Gloucester Food Dock, the Rotary in Gloucester (the city’s Rotary clubs), Gloucester City Council, Gloucester City Safe, GMS Group, King’s Walk Gloucester, hair and beauty business Kara, The Local Answer, The Eastgate and the University of Gloucestershire.
The 2025 winners are:
Business of the Year, sponsored by WSP Solicitors: Jewellery business F.Hinds.
Runners-up were Fasthosts and Cass-Stephens.
Small Business of the Year, sponsored by Gloucester City Council: Café Elm.
Runners-up were Mister’s cafe and record store Vinyl Vital Signs.
New Business of the Year, Sponsored by Kara: Café Elm.
Runners-up were fairy themed gift shop Faeluna and Gloucester Willow Coffin Company.
Retailer of the Year, sponsored by Gloucester Quays: The House of the Tailor of Gloucester.
Runners-up were The Fragrance Shop in King’s Walk, and bookshop Waterstones.
Food Business of the Year, sponsored by Gloucester Food Dock: Bake and Brew.
Runners-up were Italian resturant Bella Mia and Social Source, which empowers and upskills vulnerable people to grow and cook good food.
Bar or Pub of the Year, sponsored by Gloucester City Safe: The Fountain Inn.
Runners-up were Blue Bamboo Bar at Gloucester Docks and The Thirsty Pine in Brunswick Road.
Best Customer Service Award, sponsored by Cass-Stephens: The Fountain Inn.
Runners-up were The Lock Keepers waterside restaurant and Mister’s cafe.
Hair or Beauty Business of the Year, sponsored by The Local Answer: Ashley Paul.
Runners-up were the Black Letter Tattoo Company and hair salon The Colour Room, both in Westgate Street.
Sustainability Award, sponsored by Gloucester BID: Gloucestershire Resource Centre.
Runners-up were Cass-Stephens and Saintbridge Allotments Gardens Association.
Heritage or Regeneration Award, sponsored by The Raikes Journal: University of Gloucestershire – City Campus
Runners-up were EliJah Willow, the Gloucester Civic Trust, and Llanthony Secunda Priory.
Community Project or Organisation of the Year, sponsored by King’s Walk Gloucester: Longlevens Mixed Ability Rugby
Runners-up were Sailing4Disabled and We are Project Grow CIC.
Event of the Year, sponsored by GMS Group: Gloucester Goes Retro.
Runners-up were Gloucester Day, Santa Fun Run and the VE Celebrations in King’s Square.
Charity of the Year, sponsored by The Eastgate: James Hopkins Trust.
Runners-up were Gloucester Academy of Music, The Rotary Clubs of Gloucester and Sunflower Suicide Support.
Young Ambassador of the Year, sponsored by the University of Gloucestershire: Jack Douglas.
Runners-up were Scarlett Price and Maheen Rasul.
Ambassador of the Year: Emily Gibbon, of Gloucester BID.
Runners-up were Paul James and Andy Jarrett.
Lifetime Achievement Award: Nick Broady.