Experience Guildford Business Awards 2026 celebrates Guildford's outstanding businesses

Experience Guildford Business Awards 2026 celebrates Guildford's outstanding businesses

Guildford's thriving business community came together on Friday evening to celebrate the very best of local business at the Experience Guildford Business Awards 2026, held at the Guildford Harbour Hotel.

Organised by Experience Guildford, the annual awards recognise the businesses and individuals making an outstanding contribution to Guildford through innovation, customer service, creativity, sustainability, hospitality and community spirit.

This year's awards attracted 146 entries, with independent judges selecting five finalists in each category before choosing the winners. The evening celebrated businesses of all sizes, from new start-ups to well-established organisations, highlighting the diversity and strength of Guildford's business community.

The winners of the Experience Guildford Business Awards 2026 were:

• Business of the Year – Rita Botanicals
• Independent Business of the Year – The Mandolay Hotel
• New Business of the Year – Paper Moon
• Hospitality Business of the Year – Guildford Harbour Hotel
• Best Customer Service Award – Time Watch Repair
• Community Spirit Award – The Lighthouse
• Creative Vision Award – The Hair & Beauty Bar
• Greener Guildford Award – Tunsgate Quarter
• People's Choice Award – Tortilla

The People's Choice Award once again proved to be one of the highlights of the evening, with an impressive 1,888 public votes cast by residents, visitors and supporters of Guildford's businesses. The exceptional response demonstrated the strength of the local community in supporting businesses across the town.

The evening also celebrated thirteen remarkable individuals through the Long Service Recognition Awards, presented by The Worshipful the Mayor of Guildford, Councillor Jane Tyson. Collectively, the recipients represented 292 years of dedicated service, recognising their loyalty, commitment and lasting contribution to businesses across Guildford.

Vida Ragbir, Marketing and Events Manager at Experience Guildford and organiser of the awards, said:

It is incredibly rewarding to see so many businesses coming together in one room to celebrate their achievements. Every business that entered should be proud of what they have accomplished, and it was wonderful to see so many people supporting and celebrating one another throughout the evening. The Experience Guildford Business Awards are all about recognising the amazing businesses we have here in Guildford and the people behind them. Receiving 1,888 public votes for the People's Choice Award was fantastic and really showed the support our community has for local businesses. Congratulations to all of our finalists and winners – you have all played a part in making this year's awards such a success.

Amanda Masters, Chief Executive of Experience Guildford, said:

The Experience Guildford Business Awards continue to showcase the outstanding businesses that make Guildford such a vibrant place. Every finalist and winner should be extremely proud of their achievements, and it is wonderful to see so many businesses recognised for their hard work, innovation and dedication. On behalf of Experience Guildford, I would like to thank our headline sponsor, Spotler, together with our category sponsors Chapters Financial, McDonald's (ADRIM Operations Ltd), Different Straights Financial Planning and Mount Alvernia Hospital for their continued support. Our sincere thanks also go to our independent judges – Helen Pain of Planeta Learning & Development, Bhavenesh Patel of Kallums Bathrooms, Steph Bleach of Zero Carbon Guildford and Charlie Morrison Vest of F&S Interior Studio and The Interior Design Club – for generously giving their time and expertise throughout the judging process. Finally, thank you to the Guildford Harbour Hotel for hosting the awards, Luke Whatley-Bigg for capturing the evening through his photography, Nate Rogers for providing excellent live entertainment, and to everyone who helped make the Experience Guildford Business Awards 2026 such a memorable celebration.On behalf of Experience Guildford, I would like to thank our headline sponsor, Spotler, together with our category sponsors Chapters Financial, McDonald's (ADRIM Operations Ltd), Different Straights Financial Planning and Mount Alvernia Hospital for their continued support. Our sincere thanks also go to our independent judges – Helen Pain of Planeta Learning & Development, Bhavenesh Patel of Kallums Bathrooms, Steph Bleach of Zero Carbon Guildford and Charlie Morrison Vest of F&S Interior Studio and The Interior Design Club – for generously giving their time and expertise throughout the judging process. Finally, thank you to the Guildford Harbour Hotel for hosting the awards, Luke Whatley-Bigg for capturing the evening through his photography, Nate Rogers for providing excellent live entertainment, and to everyone who helped make the Experience Guildford Business Awards 2026 such a memorable celebration.

The organisation looks forward to continuing to celebrate and champion Guildford's business community through the Experience Guildford Business Awards in 2027.