Isle of Wight Radio’s 2025 Best in Business Awards took place on Friday (March 21), with more than 40 local enterprises and talented individuals recognised on the night.
Compered by Breakfast Show host Paul Topping and the elegant Emily Wells, this year’s event once again took place at Gurnard Pines.
An innovative twist on the ‘Higher or Lower’ game saw Paul invoke the spirit of Bruce Forsyth, with Newport based community hub Pan Together receiving £100 as a result.
The Awards
Retailer of the Year (Sponsored by D&S Carpets)
Winner: Visual Impact
The inaugural award, for Retailer of the Year, was sponsored by D&S Carpets and presented by Sam Dall and David Brown.
Fashion outlet Visual Impact - a leading stockist of quality branded clothing and footwear since 1985 - saw off stiff competition from fellow Newport businesses Gems Bridalwear and Capital Jewellers to win the award.
New Business of the Year (sponsored by Raven Print and Design)
Winner: Modern Landscapes
New Business of the Year was presented by Scott Raven from category sponsors Raven Print and Design.
The award was contested by Hannah Page Photography, Sweet Honey Studio and Modern Landscapes.
Modern Landscapes - which provides expert landscaping services across the Isle of Wight and in Hampshire - received the award.
Charity of the Year (sponsored by Island Windows)
Winner: 4P’s Project
Three wonderful causes were the nominees for the Charity of the Year.
Vectis Radio’s 4P’s Project, Sight For Wight, and Pan Together – the latter hoping to add this award to the donation it had received earlier in the night – were all extremely worthy causes for the title.
Presented by Carla Bulmer and Dean Harris, it was the wonderful 4P’s Project – a programme for adults with disabilities or learning difficulties to become involved in radio production – which was named the winner.
Best Tourist Attraction (sponsored by Visit Isle of Wight)
Winner: Isle of Wight Donkey Sanctuary
Simon Clark from Visit Isle of Wight stepped up to announce the winner of the Best Tourist Attraction.
The nominees were West Wight Alpacas, the Isle of Wight Donkey Sanctuary and Farringford House.
The Isle of Wight Donkey Sanctuary, which recently welcomed 12 new animals to its centre in Wroxall, was named the winner.
Family Business of the Year (sponsored by Wightlink)
Winner: Solent Cruises
Merriebank Lettings, Solent Cruises and Goodall Roofing were all in contention for the Family Business of the Year.
Presented by Wightlink’s Kirstie Higgins-Day, the award was won by Solent Cruises, which began life as a local family business back in 1965.
Best Island Produce (sponsored by Beacon Magazine)
Winner: Grace's Bakery
The wonderfully attired Hedley Finn presented the award for Best Island Produce.
The nominees were Grace’s Bakery, Wight Whisky and Wight Crystal.
Grace’s Bakery, which has been making bread, cakes and lunches by hand and serving the Island community for almost three decades, won the award.
Top Event of the Year (sponsored by Red Funnel)
Winner: The Royal County Show
The trio of nominees for Top Event of the Year were Festival of Heroes, The Royal County Show and The Great Wight Bite.
Sandra Whatley from Red Funnel presented the award.
The Royal County Show, which was first held in 1833, took the accolade.
Contribution to the Community (sponsored by Glanvilles Damant)
Winner: The Football Fun Factory
Marie Russell and April Newton presented the night’s award for Contribution to the Community.
Right at Home Isle of Wight, RenoDrain and The Football Fun Factory went head-to-head for the accolade.
The winner was the Football Fun Factory - a group created to provide incredible childhood football experiences for boys and girls of all ages and ability levels.
Apprentice of the Year (sponsored by HTP Apprenticeship College)
Winner: Kaitlyn Donovan
Three wonderful young apprentices were named as nominees for this award:
Daniel Orm, Ciaran O’Gorman and Kaitlyn Donovan
Kaitlyn Donovan was named winner for her inspirational contribution as part of the Adult
Acute Speech and Language Therapy Team at St Mary’s Hospital.
The award was presented by HTP Apprenticeship College’s Rachael Randall.
Best Green Eco Business
Winner: Keert
The Bay Vegan Deli, Earth Conscious and Keert were the contenders for Best Green Eco Business.
Keert, an enterprise which transports things for the Isle of Wight community by using a fleet of high-capacity electric cargo bikes and micro-hubs, was named the winner.
Richard Quigley MP was on hand to present the award to Keert.
Customer Service of the Year (sponsored by Horsler Lift Services)
Winner: Kim Street Slimming World Carisbrooke
The first of four public vote categories on the night saw Golden Sands, Slimming World and Sleepee Teepees in contention for Customer Service of the Year.
Kirstie Horsler from sponsors Horsler Lift Services presented the award, which was won by Kim Street of Slimming World Carisbrooke.
Hairdresser/Salon of the Year (sponsored by the Isle of Wight College)
Winner: Allsorts Hair and Beauty
Allsorts Hair and Beauty, The Hair Architect and Take 2 Hair and Beauty were all in the running for the Best Hairdresser/Salon award.
Ros Parker and Victoria Egerton from the IW College took to the stage to announce Allsorts Hair and Beauty as the winner.
Island’s Best Breakfast (sponsored by Wight Fire & Security)
Winner: Fins Beach Cafe
The nominees for this award were Fins Beach Café, Alamo Bar & Grill and Gossip’s Café.
Steve Winter and Jay Lock from Wight Fire and Security announced Fins Beach Café as the winners.
Pub of the Year (sponsored by ICR Systems)
Winner: The Crown Inn, Shorwell
The final public vote award was for Pub of the Year.
The nominees were The Vine Inn, St Helen’s; The Sportman’s Rest, and the Crown Inn, Shorwell.
Chris Lawrence and Matt Debenham from ICR Systems announced The Crown Inn as the winner.
Overall Business of the Year (sponsored by Red Squirrel
Winner: RenoDrain
Charlie Panayi from lead sponsors, Red Squirrel, took to the stage to announce RenoDrain as the Overall Business of the Year.
The well-deserved and popular winner received a huge ovation from those in attendance.
RenoDrain has become respected for its knowledgeable and qualified drainage services over the past 16 years, while the company played an integral role in assisting people during the recent flooding.
Their lead man, Jamie Webster, was praised for his relentless generosity and unyielding commitment to the community, and he was clearly emotional as he took to the stage to accept the award.
Quotes
Charlie Panayi, CEO of head sponsor Red Squirrel, said:
“It’s great to once again see a light shed on so many fantastic local businesses and individuals at these awards.
“It shows the camaraderie surrounding local businesses on the Island - we can support and motivate one another to prosper.
“It’s a major reason why we have been supporters of this event since its inception, with a strong belief in celebrating the success of others."
Isle of Wight Radio Managing Director, Claire John, said:
“The awards once again provided a memorable evening and highlighted the talent and endeavour of the brilliant Island businesses and people who often go unrecognised.
“The unyielding plethora of wonderful local enterprise and talented people put forward each year never ceases to amaze me.
“Congratulations to all of the winners and those who were nominated, and a huge thank you to our sponsors on the night."
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