PRESS RELEASE: Sevenoaks Business Awards

Published: 23 October 2023

Establishing the winners is a long process which started in mid-August when the public were asked to nominate businesses in one or more of six categories. The nominated businesses were then asked to complete an entry form and as a result there were 28 in this year’s competition – the most ever.

Judging took place in early October, and an online vote to establish the public’s favourite business closed with over 3000 votes cast – again a record.

The Awards evening was held at The Bat & Ball centre, an ideal modern venue where state of the art lighting and sound made for exactly the right atmosphere for this special “black tie” evening.  Guest speaker was Michael Gietzen, the man whose company created the 2023 London New Year Fireworks and organises many major UK and worldwide events which everyone will have seen. 

The Winning businesses were:

The Hart Spa - Independent Business of the Year

Specsavers - Larger Business of the Year

COOK - Sustainability in Business

The TN Card - New Business of the Year

The TN Card - Micro-Enterprise of the Year

Leslie Warren Opticians - Customer Choice

 

There is also a “Judges Award” which goes to a business or person that has provided a significant contribution to economic development and the local community. This was won by Barry Dennis.  Barry is the long serving landlord of The Anchor pub in the heart of the town centre.  Over several years he has been instrumental in many initiatives in the Sevenoaks, even creating his own music festival in 2023. 

Runner up in this category was won by a policeman.  PC Nick Hubbard has been very successful in dealing with (mainly business) crime in Sevenoaks and has become a role model for others.