After two weeks of voting by residents, Havering Small Business Awards has announced the finalists for each of its nine categories.
From dog groomers to pizza outlets and fashion stores, the award offers recognition to independent businesses in Havering, new and old.
BestSellers, a Hornchurch-based homewares shop that opened in 1998, is a contender for the best small business and best shopfront award. Owner Robbie Wootton told the Recorder: “It’s great to see we have got some great local support."
Robbie runs the store with his sister, Cassie, after they took over the business from their parents.
They still like to maintain their personal touch while serving the customers, but operating a business in the current times has not been easy.
He added: “The energy prices going up have put us under a lot of stress."
Café 108 in Hornchurch is in the running for the best hospitality business.
Erdem Hassan, who manages the eatery with his wife, owed a part of the success to their history.
He said: “Me and my wife have been doing this for 20 years, but my parents had been doing it for 45 years… we have moved forward with the times. We understand what the people need... we work very hard as a family-run business to give the best service possible."
He recounts the time during Covid when their experience was put to the test.
“Normally you turn around and ask your elders or your peers but we didn’t have that chance because no one knew what to do. As a business we had to work it out on our own."
He credited the community in Hornchurch for coming together to save them. He added: “They have helped Café 108 stay relevant and active…so the award really should go to our customers."
One of the best newcomer finalists is Juju’s Style Closet, a fashion retail store, which was started by 38-year-old Anthony Button from the money his nan left him when she died. The store is named after his nan too.
Anthony’s journey as a new business owner has had its bumps. He said: “It’s been hectic, lots of sleepless nights, but it has been rewarding. We get a lot of support from local people, family and friends."
Competing with bigger retailers like Primark is a challenge he tries to constantly overcome.
He shared: “It’s a risk we have taken, but we try to find ways to get around it… we go to community events, pop ups, we offer discounts, keep our clothes constantly changing so they are fresh and relevant."
For 42-year-old Peter Brown, co-owner of The Bubbly Bar, its nomination in the best new business category would be a step in helping them expand.
He told the Recorder: “The nomination is a reward for our hard work and we are very excited."
They serve champagne at corporate events, music festivals and weddings out of a Piaggio van that is converted into a mobile bar.
Importing prosecco directly from the vineyard in Italy post-Brexit was a difficulty they have had to overcome, Peter said.
He added: “It was initially very difficult getting it over here with all the different regulations, but now we now have a system set up for it and should be easier."
Joanne Gibson, owner of Light and Shade Counselling in Hornchurch, seeks to keep therapy accessible and affordable for people in the community.
She said: “When I was at my lowest, therapy helped me so much, I decided I want to do that for other people."
The NHS being over-stretched, Joanne claimed more people resort to private therapy in the community.
She believes the nomination for two awards - best shopfront and best newcomer - will encourage more people to discover them and come forward for therapy.
She said: “I want to be able to help as many people as possible…I want more people to understand that counselling is for everyone."
People can now vote for the winners in each category, with polling to close on March 29.
The winner from each category will be announced in a special ceremony at the Premiere Cinema, Romford in May.
To vote, go to havering.gov.uk/smallbusinessawards.
Full list of finalists
Best Small or Independent Business
BestSellers
Hollywood Dogs
New Heights Fitness
Best Beauty or Retail Business
The Beauty Room, Gidea Park
Elliot Dean Hairdressers
Hair Lounge, Ardleigh Green
Best Takeaway
The Lighthouse Fish and Chips
Serious Nugs
Ped’s Pizza
Best Hospitality Business
Ped’s Pizza
Café 108
Brookside Theatre
Best Tradesperson
BMG Gas Services
ADL Air Conditioning
Mawney Security
Best Shopfront
Light and Shade Counselling
Ellie’s Finishing Touches
BestSellers
Best Customer Experience
The Family Health Hub
Bear with the Hair
Wrigglers Hair Salon
Best Social Enterprise or CIC
BabyBank HQ
Superthinkers
Dicing with Life
Best Newcomer (less than a year old)
JuJu’s Style Closet
Light and Shade Counselling
The Bubbly Bar
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