The Awards

 

There are so many inspiring companies trading in Dartford. These awards are dedicated to recognising, rewarding and celebrating every one of their achievements.

Eight free categories celebrate everything Dartford has to offer. From local young talent to support in our community and everything in between. Join us on Thursday, 8 October at Bluewater Shopping Centre for a great night of celebration.

Please note the deadline for entries is 11.59pm on Sunday 6 September.

• Best Owner Managed Business
• The Bluewater Award
• Dartford Living Customers' Choice Award
• Employee of the Year
• Good for the Community Award
• Good for Society Award
• Shop of the Year
• Young Persons' Award

Best Owner Managed Business

 

 

Sponsored by The Nucleus Business & Innovation Centre and Oxford Innovation Space, ARC 

You’ve worked tirelessly to make your business a success and now it’s time to have that work recognised. This award is open to all owner managed businesses, from the stay-at-home parents with a terrific home-based business, to family-run firms that have been of the fabric of the local community for decades. Tell us why you’re the best owner managed business in Dartford. 

We are looking for an innovative business who take pride in offering excellent customer service, no matter how big or small. 

The winner will demonstrate a professional, dedicated and hard working ethos, while promoting their core values on a daily basis through staff and service. 

Please include case studies and examples to support the submission. 

Entries for this award will be judged on: 

• What makes you stand out from your competitors/other owner managed businesses? 

• What has been your biggest success over the past 12 months? 

• Do you have clear plans for expansion? 

• What does your business give back to the local community?

Enter here

The Bluewater Award

 

Sponsored by Bluewater. 

There are plenty of brands at Bluewater with the ability to both surprise and delight. If you provide a great experience that stands out from the crowd, we would love to hear from you. We’re looking for Bluewater’s very best, those that love trading here, and do it better than anyone else. 

The judging criteria for this award are as follows: 

• Are you delivering a great experience that makes your customers say "WOW!"? 

• What makes your guest experience stand out compared to your competitors? 

• Do you have any customer testimonials/feedback that demonstrate what makes you special? 

Entries for this award will be split into three distinct categories / winners: 

• Best Brand Partner (Retail) 

• Best Brand Partner (Food & Beverage) 

• Best Brand Partner (Services & Leisure) 

Enter here

Dartford Living Customers' Choice Award

 

Sponsored by Dartford Living 

Have you received an excellent service from a business in the Dartford area? There are some pioneering businesses in Dartford providing exceptional customer service, always going the extra mile to put the customer first and provide them with a valuable experience when dealing with their business. This is your chance to nominate a business that you feel deserves recognition. 

To submit your nomination please visit the Dartford Living website 

Nominations for this award will be judged on:  

• Going above and beyond to provide an excellent service 

• Creating an attractive and welcoming environment for customers 

• Innovating in their sector in terms of service offering or approach

Enter here

Employee of the Year

 

Sponsored by The Learning Shop Bluewater and Fairfield Leisure.

Do you have an exceptional individual working within your business? Someone who has gone the extra mile for a customer or the community? We think they deserve recognition for their dedication to the Dartford Community.

Enter here

Good for the Community Award

Does your business go above and beyond to benefit the local community? Or do you have an inspirational member of staff who makes a difference to their neighbourhood? Whether it’s rolling up sleeves to help with litter picking, organising a special event for elderly / vulnerable people or donating funding for good causes. We’re looking for companies with projects or initiatives that do good and offer support to the community as standard practice. 

Tell us how your business has a positive impact on the local community, for example: 

• Providing employment for local residents 

• Support for healthy living 

• Support for education 

• Support of community objectives 

• Providing opportunities for local companies 

• Operating under a sustainable business model 

• Providing sponsorship or charity to local good causes

Enter here

Good for Society Award

 

 

Sponsored by Downton & Ali Associated and Fox Estate Agents.  

Are you a charity that goes above and beyond to benefit society? 

Do you have an amazing impact on the local community? Or do you have an inspirational member of staff who makes a difference to their neighbourhood? Perhaps you’ve been volunteering or fundraising to help improve green spaces and the environment? 

No matter what you do, we’re looking for charities that do good and offer support to the community as standard practice. 

Tell us how your charity has a positive impact on the local community, for example: 

• Providing employment for local residents 

• Support for healthy living 

• Support for education 

• Support of community objectives 

• Providing opportunities for local companies 

• Operating under a sustainable business model 

• Providing sponsorship or charity to local good causes 

• Any green community initiatives you’ve supported

Enter here

Shop of the Year

Sponsored by Bluewater 

There are plenty of retailers in Dartford that still believe it’s possible to delight and surprise. So, if you provide a great shopping experience that stands out from the crowd, we would love to hear from you. We’re looking for the very best of Dartford, the shops that love trading here, and manage to do it better than anyone else! 

Entries for this award will be judged on: 

• Are you delivering a great retail experience that makes your customers say “WOW”? 

• What makes your retail experience stand out compared to your competitors? 

• Do you have any examples of customer testimonials?

Enter here

Young Persons' Award

 

Sponsored by North Kent College.

We are delighted that North Kent College will be sponsoring the employability and skills category of this year’s Dartford Business Awards. 

Included in the category is the ‘Young Persons’ Award’ - a joint recognition award for both the employer and the young person. 

It is open to students who have taken part in a substantive and relevant work placement during their studies, or an apprentice, with a Dartford-based employer during 2025/26

The criteria are as follows: 

A student:

• In a placement that was substantive and relevant to the qualification being studied  
• Where the placement was over 30 days in length  
• Whilst studying for a Level 2 or 3 qualification – this includes A levels and vocational qualifications 

Or an apprentice: 

• Who has successfully completed level 2 or level 3 in the 2025/26 academic year 

Nominees in both categories must be: 

• 16 years+ 
• with a Dartford based employer 

Nominees can be with any local education establishment or apprentice training provider. 

Enter here