Last year we ran various competitions to find out the best businesses in Havering and beyond, as voted by our readers, so here is a round-up of your winners.

The winners under different Your Favourite categories included a Chinese restaurant in Romford and a cafe in Upminster.

Our awards, Your Favourites 2023, celebrated the best businesses in our area and there were 12 victors last year.

In 2024 we will keep these competitions going with more opportunities for businesses to get involved.

Take a look at all of 2023's award-winners below.

  • Edge Gym in Romford, January-February winner, Best Gym
  • New Season in Romford, February-March winner, Best Chinese Restaurant 

Romford Recorder: New Season was one of our proud award-winnersNew Season was one of our proud award-winners (Image: Lin Wei Jian)

  • Coffee Bloom Cafe in Upminster, March-April winner, Best Coffee Shop and Cafe
  • Webbs Garden Centre in Ilford, April-May winner, Best Garden Centre or Nursery
  • The Victoria in Romford, May-June winner, Best Pub
  • The Sutton Arms in Hornchurch, May-June winner, Best Pub (second winner)
  • Elegance Beauty in Romford, May-June winner, Best Health and Beauty Salon

Romford Recorder: Hacton Lane staff celebrating their winHacton Lane staff celebrating their win (Image: Submitted)

  • Hacton Lane Fish Bar in Hornchurch, June-July winner, Best Chippy
  • Magic Touch in Barking, July-August winner, Best Hairdresser

Romford Recorder: Maciej Sosnowski celebrates with the award outside his hairdressersMaciej Sosnowski celebrates with the award outside his hairdressers (Image: Maciej Sosnowski)

  • Kushoom Bugh in Upminster, August-September winner, Best Indian Restaurant

Romford Recorder: Romford winner Fades and BladesRomford winner Fades and Blades (Image: Fades and Blades)

  • Fades and Blades in Romford, September-October winner, Best Barbers 
  • Utter Nutter in Romford, October-November winner, Best Fashion Boutique

RELATED NEWS: Romford salon Elegance Beauty voted best in Havering

This year readers may notice some different themes, including debut category volunteer of the year. 

Our first category has begun and nominations for Your Favourite Gym opened on January 1 online and in print for two weeks.

Lin Wei Jian of New Season Chinese restaurant said its award gave them motivation to keep serving customers and the community, while manager of Hacton Lane Fish Bar Sahin Cetin said he was "eternally grateful" to customers for their support.

We would like to bid good luck to businesses in our area for this year's competitions.