Now in their 9th year, the Merton Best Business Awards celebrate and recognise the local business community with a range of prestigious awards. In 2021, after a difficult 18 months, the award categories were redesigned to reflect the challenges of the pandemic and showcase how Merton’s businesses had survived, revived and thrived.
The judging panel, made up of representatives from local businesses, received over 180 applications for award categories including Leader of the Year, Innovative and Creative Technology, Independent Retailer and the Climate Action Award. Members of the public were also invited to join the judging process by voting for their favourite local business hero or hospitality business in Merton.
CEO of Merton Chamber of Commerce, Diana Sterck, said: “We were thrilled that so many local businesses applied for this year’s awards, despite the difficult economic climate and the ongoing, day-to-day challenges of running a business in 2021. The judges were blown away by the stories of courage, resilience and kindness that they read, and it was harder than ever to whittle down a shortlist. Every Merton business should feel exceptionally proud of their journey over the past couple of years and we are looking forward to celebrating at our gala awards ceremony next month.”
See the list of finalists for each award category below.
Arts and Culture Award
The Wimbledon Group
Wimbledon BookFest
Best for Innovation and Customer Focus
Finling Associates Ltd
Howell-Jones LLP
Ry Group
XO Chocolate
Breakthrough Charity Award
Dons Local Action Group
Jigsaw4u
Sustainable Merton
Wimbledon Guild
Climate Action Award
Cullens Clearances Ltd
Kartee M Salon
Kindred
Stephen Young Salon
Entrepreneur of the Year
Bub Quiz
Katja Nuutinen Couture
Swords Travel
Wimble
Hero in Business
Esente Hair
Eternity Party Express
Hale Hair Boutique
Stephen Young Salon
Hospitality Business of the Year
Lu-Ma Café
Metronome Coffee House
Prince of Wales
Vintage Fish
In the Face of Adversity Award
Cause Communications
Cullens Clearances Ltd
Lu-Ma Cafe
Polka Theatre
Sylvia A Consultancy
The Pilates Clinic and Pilates Education UK
Independent Retailer Award
Caroline Randell Lingerie Boutique
Ecklee
Eternity Party Express Ltd
Swords Travel
Innovative and Creative Technology
Connect: Literacy, Speech and Language Services
Really Helpful Club
Stronger Fitness and Martial arts
White Light
Leader of the Year
Mint Wellbeing
Ry Group
The Pilates Clinic and Pilates Education
Urban Home
Star of the Year
Cut or Dye by Lina
Esente Hair
Lu-Ma Cafe
Mini Athletics Kingston & Wimbledon
Team Spirit Award
Finling Associates Ltd
Merco Medical Staffing
St Raphael's Hospice
Stronger Fitness and Martial Arts
The Extra Mile
Girls into Coding
Howell-Jones LLP
Quality Stitch Wimbledon Ltd.
Vintage Fish
Winners will be announced at an awards ceremony on Wednesday 1st December at the All England Lawn Tennis & Croquet Club.