Nominations are now open for the Havering Small Business Awards 2025.
Now in their fourth year - the main award sponsor is once again Havering’s 12 Estates Regeneration Joint Venture Partner, Wates, and media sponsor TIME 107.5 FM.
This year’s winner of the overall Havering Small Business of the Year, will win an advertising prize to promote their business in Havering, valued at £25,000, courtesy of JC Decaux.
This year, the awards format will allow businesses to nominate themselves in the one category they think they deserve to win, and members of the public can also nominate their favourite businesses.
The nomination period has also been extended from five to six weeks and only fully completed and verifiable votes will be counted.
A business will progress to the second round of the awards if they are one of the top three to secure the most votes and then successfully clear a cross check with council teams including business rates, public protection and environmental enforcement, to make sure that they qualify.
When a Havering business enters, or a member of the public votes for their favourite business, we will ask you to explain and evidence why they should be shortlisted for that award.
We have provided some handy tips to help nominees do this quickly and easily.
The three businesses with the highest number of individual public votes will then be invited to an awards evening in September 2025.
The three businesses with the highest number of individual public votes will then be invited to an awards evening in September 2025.
The categories this year are:
- Best Small or Independent Business
- Best Beauty or Service Business, sponsored by The Havering Daily
- Best Take Away, sponsored by sponsored by The Havering Daily
- Best Hospitality Business, sponsored by Hills Prospect
- Best Tradesperson, sponsored by Marlborough
- Best Customer Experience
- Best Shopfront, sponsored by Sure Serve
- Best Social Enterprise or CIC
- Best Newcomer (less than a year old – operating since April 2024) , sponsored by Havering Chamber of Commerce
- Best Sustainable Business
- The Havering Small Business of the Year Award, voted by the judging panel.
Councillor Ray Morgon, Leader of Havering Council, said:
“Growing on the increasing popularity of the awards, and our continued commitment to help small businesses, the Havering Small Business Awards are a timely reminder of how important it is to show our support for our businesses and to keep it local wherever possible.
“I’m pleased that thanks to our generous sponsors we are able to run these awards for another year to make this a cost-neutral event for the Council.
"I would like to thank all of them for their support in particular to our regeneration joint venture partner Wates who are once again our key sponsor for the awards, and to Time 107.5FM, our media partner again this year.”
“We want as many businesses as possible to nominate themselves this year and to encourage the public to also vote for their favourites.
"With your help, we’re hoping to make the awards even bigger and better this year.”
Hugh Jeffery, Regional Development Manager for Wates, said:
“Wates is proud to be the main sponsor once again for this year’s Havering Small Business Awards.
“As joint venture partner with Havering Council for the 12 Estates regeneration scheme, not only are we are committed to delivering 3,500 homes over the next 12 years, but also establishing a lasting legacy for Havering residents and businesses through the supply chain initiative, employment, training and social value opportunities.
“We are very pleased to be able to once again offer this wider support and celebrate Havering Small Businesses.”
Nominations open 10am on Monday 24 March 2025 and closes at 3pm on Friday 2 May 2025.
You can follow the Havering Small Business Awards 2025 on our social media channels or by searching #HaveringSBA too.