Hundreds of guests filled the Grand Marquee in Bluewater for the Dartford Business Awards, where local businesses were recognised for their outstanding contributions to the community.
It was another fantastic year with over 100 local businesses involved, which ensured a wide range of businesses were celebrated and commended.
To match the evening’s 80’s theme, guests were treated to live entertainment including fantastic performances by tributes to ABBA, Whitney Housten and Freddie Mercury (who also doubled up as a brilliant compere), along with local band Beer Pressure who kept the energy high throughout the night.
A judging panel and sponsors came together to select and recognise the best of Dartford’s businesses. On the night, commended businesses were announced along with the overall winners, and both were invited up on stage to be awarded their certificates. With such a diverse array of nominees, the night showcased the incredible range and quality of businesses that Dartford has to offer.
Leader of the Council Jeremy Kite said, “Dartford is home to some brilliant businesses, and the Business Awards are our chance to put them firmly in the spotlight. Behind every success story is an enormous amount of hard work, ambition, and determination, and that deserves to be celebrated. These awards are just one of the ways that a truly local council can support local businesses and celebrate the huge contribution they make to Dartford. Congratulations to all of this year’s winners and finalists. Everyone had a fantastic night!”
The winners from the night are:
Best Owner Managed Business – sponsored by The Nucleus/Oxford Innovation Space and ARC UK:
- Russell Fewins Limited (Winner – big business)
- Hollywood Performing Arts (Winner – small business)
- Guys N Dolls (Commended)
- ‘Long Service Award’ for Tina Moseley at Tini's Boutique
- ‘Community Award’ for Ray-Cay Holdings Ltd
Shop of the Year – sponsored by Bluewater:
- Milly’s Cake House (Winner)
- Guys N Dolls (Commended)
- Harden Holidays (Commended)
Employee of the Year – sponsored by The Learning Shop:
- Jordan Weeks, The Priory Shopping Centre (Winner)
- Sarah Leppard, Dean’s Gentlemen’s Salon (Commended)
Young Person’s Award – sponsored by North Kent College and FCC Environment:
- Ethan Barton, Cortec IT Solutions Ltd
- Amy Rayner, Guys N Dolls
- Elizabeth Rosskilly, Guys N Dolls
- Grace Shaxted, North Kent College
- Demi Cocks, North Kent College
- Portia Nicholls, NHS Darent Valley Finance Team
Good for the Community – sponsored by Amazon LCY3:
- Go Local (Winner – small business)
- The Priory Shopping Centre (Winner – big business)
- Polash Indian Takeaway (Commended)
Good for Society – sponsored by Fox Estate Agents and Downton & Ali Associates:
- Ellenor (Winner)
- Arrow Riding Centre for the Disabled (Commended)
Dartford Living Customer’s Choice Award – sponsored by Dartford Living:
- Gary Linton Estate Agent (Winner)
- Community Church Café/The Lounge (Commended)
- Massage Therapy (Commended)
- The Ro Studio (Commended)
Bluewater Award – sponsored by Bluewater :
- Five Guys - food and beverages winner
- VodafoneThree & Menkind - retail winner
- Ballerz - services and leisure winner
To find out more about the Dartford Business Awards, visit www.dartfordbusinessawards.co.uk, or contact businessawards@dartford.gov.uk. Additionally, you can like the Awards on Facebook at www.facebook.com/dartfordbusinessawards or follow on X at www.twitter.com/Dartford_Biz
Dartford Borough Council organised and managed the Business Awards, and would like to thank all the sponsors from the event on Thursday 8 October 2026:
ARC UK - Bluewater Shopping Centre - Cohesion Plus - Dartford Living - Downton & Ali Associates - Fairfield Leisure - FCC Environment - Fox Estate Agents - North Kent College - Oxford Innovation Space - The Learning Shop - The Nucleus Business & Innovation Centre