Havering Small Business Awards 2025 Finalists Announced with JC Decaux Prize

Havering Small Business Awards 2025 Finalists Announced with JC Decaux Prize
Credit: havering.gov.uk

Key Points

  • The finalists for the Havering Small Business Awards 2025 have been officially announced by the London Borough of Havering Council, highlighting the top contenders across multiple categories.
  • This year’s awards received strong support from the community, with both public nominations and self-nominations from businesses for the first time.
  • Judging for the 2025 awards included an updated scoring method: 80% based on business submissions and 20% on sustainable practices, with the number of public votes incorporated into the final count.
  • Finalists across categories include Lady RA Permanent Make Up, InkTree Education, Cloudline Media, The Wendy House, Hawkins and Sons Butchers, and May Residential Home, among others.
  • The awards ceremony is scheduled for September 2025, where winners in each category—and the overall Small Business of the Year—will be revealed.
  • The headline sponsor for this year’s event is Wates, joined by media partner Time 107.5 FM and an array of category sponsors, such as The Havering Daily and the Havering Chamber of Commerce.
  • The recipient of the Havering Small Business of the Year Award will receive an advertising prize worth £25,000 from JC Decaux UK.
  • The Shopfront category deadline was extended due to a low number of entries, with nominations for this specific category open until the end of May 2025.
  • Council Leader Ray Morgon publicly praised the commitment and contributions of the borough’s small businesses and thanked all sponsors for their continued support.

Finalists for the Havering Small Business Awards 2025 have been announced, demonstrating the vibrant entrepreneurial spirit within the borough. The awards, now in their fourth year, feature an array of new and returning businesses recognised for excellence in categories spanning hospitality, customer service, sustainability, and community contribution.

What Is the Havering Small Business Awards 2025 and Why Is It Important?

As reported by the London Borough of Havering Council, the Small Business Awards are an annual celebration designed to acknowledge, support, and spotlight local businesses making a significant impact on the borough’s economic and social landscape. The 2025 edition, which marks the fourth year of the event, not only showcases business excellence but also brings the community together to recognise both well-established firms and innovative newcomers.

This year’s awards continue to emphasise the importance of small businesses to municipal growth, sustainability, and job creation. According to Councillor Ray Morgon, Leader of Havering Council,

“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,” as quoted by The Havering Daily.

How Were the Finalists Selected and What’s New This Year?

According to reporting on the official Havering Council website and The Havering Daily, the 2025 format introduced several changes to the nomination and judging process. For the first time, businesses had the opportunity to nominate themselves in one category they felt best suited their strengths, while members of the public could also nominate their favourite enterprises. The nomination window was extended from five to six weeks, ensuring broader participation.

All nominations underwent a comprehensive cross-check—businesses had to clear council compliance relating to public protection, trading standards, and environmental enforcement to move to the next stage. As reported by the borough’s news release, only the three businesses with the highest number of verified votes in each category advanced to the final round, where they were invited to submit supporting evidence highlighting why they deserved to win. Finalists’ submissions accounted for 80% of their category score, while sustainable and environmentally responsible practices comprised the remaining 20%. The cumulative total was supplemented by public votes before category sponsors selected the winners.

Who Are the Finalists in Each Category?

As confirmed on 22 July 2025 by the London Borough of Havering Council, the top three finalists from each category will compete at the September awards evening.

Notable shortlisted businesses include:

  • Lady RA Permanent Make Up
  • InkTree Education
  • Cloudline Media
  • The Wendy House
  • Hawkins and Sons Butchers
  • May Residential Home

Additionally, the following finalists in other categories have been listed earlier by the Council for the 2025 competition:

Best Takeaway

  • The Fat Pizza
  • Nugs Romford
  • Lighthouse Fish and Chips
  • Kervansaray Takeaway
  • Gup Shup – Chit Chat Chai

Best Shopfront

  • Picture Frame Gallery
  • Mr P’s Best Sellers
  • Little Julie’s Baby Boutique
  • Precious Thoughts, Cards and Gifts Ltd

Best Beauty

  • Eve’s Salon
  • Salon 257
  • Aurae London
  • The Tattoo Nest
  • The Hair Lounge
  • Miller and Coleby
  • Jennifer Purdie Beautiful Brows
  • The Beauty Room
  • Utopia Beauty and Advanced Skincare
  • Signature Lux Hair and Beauty Studio
  • Kissed Lips Cosmetics
  • KVN Hair and Beauty
  • Ear2Hear Ltd
  • Bear with the Hair Clinic
  • Young Jungle Hair

Best Tradesperson

  • Ridgewell Electrical Services
  • D&T Electrical Services
  • F A Firman
  • Nicks Locks
  • Paul Perfect Heating
  • St Albans Baby and Toddler CIC
  • St Thomas Jacobite Syrian Orthodox Church
  • Thames Chase Forest Centre
  • Youth Unity CIC

Best Social or CIC

  • The Hop Inn
  • Teapot Café
  • Liana’s Tea Shop

Best Customer Service

  • Gidea Motors
  • H’airs and Gracie’s Ltd
  • Michaela Scott Animal Behaviour
  • Office Assistants
  • Pink Pointes
  • Ross Mckinley Accountants Ltd
  • Serene Mind Ltd
  • The Super Thinkers
  • Violet Velvet Treats
  • Website Support UK
  • Wrigglers Children’s Hair Salon
  • Zara Curtains and Blinds

Best Sustainable Business

  • The Quantum Group
  • Smile London and Essex

Best Newcomer

  • Tony’s Bakery
  • LadyRA Permanent Make Up
  • Dilblitz
  • Ojas Softplay Café
  • Inktree Education
  • Playtime Playgroup, Rainham
  • Cloudline Media

Best Small or Independent Business

  • 71 Club/Olivia Mae Marketing Ltd
  • Blooms by Pav Panesar
  • Maa Eyecare/Mas Eyecare/Maya Eyecare
  • Hawkins Butchers
  • Hollywood Dogs
  • Upminster Containers
  • May Residential Home
  • The Wendy House
  • Vape Lounge
  • Mungo Park

As reported by CEME and echoed by local government sources, additional categories include Best Social Enterprise or Community Interest Company and the prestigious Havering Small Business of the Year Award, presented to the top overall contender as selected by a panel of judges.

What Do Finalists and Winners Receive?

According to a press release from the Council and coverage by The Havering Daily, all category winners will be honoured during the annual awards evening, scheduled for September 2025. The pinnacle of the event is the selection of the Havering Small Business of the Year, which comes with a £25,000 advertising package sponsored by JC Decaux UK, enabling the winning business to raise their profile throughout the borough.

In addition to publicity, winners receive support from category sponsors, such as Wates (main sponsor), Time 107.5 FM (media sponsor), The Havering Daily, and the Havering Chamber of Commerce, which each play an active role in promoting and celebrating business achievement.

How Has Community and Council Support Driven This Year’s Event?

The extensive support of sponsors and the Council has enabled the event to remain cost-neutral, fostering strong civic and business involvement. Ray Morgon, Leader of Havering Council, stated to The Havering Daily: “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”.

What Is the Timeline and How Can Businesses Still Participate?

As reported by borough officials and confirmed on the official council website, finalists will shortly be contacted with details on the presentation event. The awards evening, in September 2025, will reveal the winners in each category and spotlight the overall business of the year.

A notable exception is the ‘Best Shopfront’ category, which, as explained by the council’s news team, remains open for nominations until 30 May 2025 due to previously low application numbers. Businesses and local residents wishing to participate must email their entry details, including a photo, prior to the close of the new deadline:

“If you’re a Havering Small Business with a gorgeous shopfront, or you’re a customer that admires the effort that your local businesses put into the front of their shops, get nominating! Please send the business name, full address and a photo of the shopfront along with your full name, postcode and phone number to [email protected] by 3pm on Friday 30 May 2025.”

What Statements Have Been Released by the Council and Sponsors?

Council Leader Ray Morgon has issued multiple statements highlighting the importance of the awards, community engagement, and the contributions of sponsors. Quoting Mr Morgon from the Council news site: “We encourage all participants to put their best foot forward and showcase why they deserve to be recognised as one of Havering’s top small businesses. Good luck to everyone!”

Sponsors have also expressed their commitments. As reported by CEME, “JCDecaux is the UK’s leading outdoor advertising company and their commitment to fostering local entrepreneurship and driving economic growth has set a benchmark in the industry”.

What Does the Future Hold for the Havering Business Community?

With the broadened nomination process and a larger pool of engaged finalists, this year’s awards underline the ongoing vibrancy and resilience of Havering’s small business sector, as repeatedly highlighted across official borough channels and local coverage. Whether veteran businesses or dynamic new entrants, each finalist embodies the entrepreneurial spirit that continues to drive the borough forward.

The much-anticipated awards evening in September 2025 is set to celebrate not only the best in business but also community, innovation, and local progress—a fitting culmination for all participants, sponsors, and supporters.

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