Bays Brewery backs Torbay Business Awards for third year

The multiple award-winning, family-run Bays Brewery, based in Paignton, is once again sponsoring the Torbay Naturally Inspiring Business Awards for the third consecutive year.

The brewery hopes its continued support will inspire a sense of pride and motivation within the local business community.

Founded in 2007 by brothers Mark and Peter Salmon, along with their brother-in-law Will Freeland, Bays Brewery is a true local success story.

Their well-established ales and lagers, including Devon Rock and Devon Cove, draw inspiration from their hometown of Torbay.

Recently, the brewery made headlines after raising nearly £5,000 for four Devon charities through sales of its 2024 limited-edition charity brews.

With the June 11 Business Awards and more limited edition brews on the horizon, 2025 is shaping up to be another exciting year for the company.

What inspired Bays Brewery to sponsor the Torbay Business Awards for the third year?

At Bays Brewery, we’re passionate about supporting the local community, and the Torbay Naturally Inspiring Business Awards perfectly align with our values. As a family-run business that is celebrating 18 years on the Torbay business scene this summer, we know firsthand the dedication and resilience it takes to succeed. Sponsoring these awards for a third year is our way of celebrating and saying ‘cheers’ to fellow Torbay businesses that are driving our local economy forward.

What impact do you hope your sponsorship will have on the local business community?

We want to inspire and encourage other local businesses to keep pushing boundaries, innovating, and thriving. By supporting these awards, we hope to create a sense of pride and motivation within the local business community, showing that their efforts don’t go unnoticed. It’s also a fantastic opportunity for networking and collaboration, something that strengthens the entire region.

Why do you believe it’s important to recognise and celebrate business excellence in Torbay?

Torbay is home to an incredible range of businesses, from the amazing hospitality venues we are lucky enough to work alongside, to fellow drink producers like ourselves. Recognising business excellence isn’t just about celebrating success — it’s about acknowledging the challenges, perseverance, and creativity that drive growth in Torbay. These awards help build confidence, attract investment, and demonstrate that Torbay is not only an incredible place to live but a fantastic place to do business.

What encouragement would you give to businesses who are considering entering/nominating others for the awards?

Go for it! The Torbay Naturally Inspiring Business Awards are a brilliant opportunity to gain recognition, boost morale, and make valuable connections in the local business community. Plus, it’s a great way to share your story and inspire others to turn their ambition into a business that can benefit the wider community of Torbay.

What sets Bays Brewery apart in the brewing industry, and what do you consider your greatest achievement to date?

Bays Brewery stands out because of our commitment to quality, our strong local roots, and our passion for brewing beers the Devon way, while giving back to the community we are lucky enough to call ‘home’. One of our greatest achievements is that this summer, our family-run brewery celebrates 18 years of crafting beer in the heart of Torbay. It’s a milestone that we’ve only been able to achieve thanks to our brilliant brewery team - the best in the beer business – and the local community who have supported us through thick and thin. From the global pandemic to a cost-of-living crisis, nothing stands between them and a pint of Bays beer.

Are there any new products, events, or projects on the horizon for Bays Brewery?

Yes! 2025 is another exciting year for us. As well as Bays ‘coming of age’ with our 18th birthday this summer, we’ve also launched four brand-new limited-edition ‘Charity Brews’ which give back to the Devon community. Our first charity beer ‘Evergreen’ is available now, a smooth session IPA inspired by our region’s rich natural habitat, with 5 per cent of every pint and bottle sold supporting Torbay Coast & Countryside Trust. This summer will also see the return of our popular Madgull Lemon Lager, a small-batch special inspired by Torbay’s iconic seagull.

How do you see the future of business in Torbay, and what role do you hope Bays Brewery will play in that growth?

As a local business, we want to continue playing a key role in contributing to Torbay’s thriving independent business scene - whether that’s through job creation, supporting local events, or collaborating with other businesses to put Torbay on the map. We also hope to inspire others to embrace community-focused initiatives and ‘keep it local’.

Are there any particular businesses or individuals in Torbay that inspire you?

Absolutely! There are so many brilliant businesses in Torbay that inspire us, from the brilliant bars, pubs and restaurants we work alongside to the equally passionate local drink suppliers we work alongside as part of our Devon Drinks concept. We feel hugely lucky to be part of such a vibrant business community and we look forward to raising a toast to celebrate the amazing contribution the shortlisted businesses make to our local economy at the awards.”

How to enter

Interest in the Torbay Weekly Naturally Inspiring Business Awards 2025 is already gaining momentum — and we want to make it as easy as possible for businesses to enter or to be nominated.

Entries are now open  for this year’s awards, with a date of Wednesday, June 11 already set for the glittering finals night at the Riviera International Centre in Torquay.

The awards have grown in size and stature since being launched three years ago. Now we are keen for even more businesses and their people to be saluted and recognised.

As before, you can enter a category as a business yourself.  But now you can also nominate a business —  and we will do the work for them. You nominate them  and a member of the Torbay Weekly  team will make contact with them to help with the application process. Just go online to  torbaybusinessawards.co.uk to enter or nominate.

We also have two more categories for you to consider. South Devon building supplies firm Inter-Line are on board again with their Apprentice of the Year category and we are also delighted to welcome  Torquay United FC to the awards. They will be sponsoring a new Sport and Health and Wellbeing category.

To enter, go online to the website  torbaybusinessawards.co.uk where you will find out how to enter or how to nominate businesses for the awards, the categories and their criteria. Entries will close at midnight on Friday, April 25. A judging panel will sit to choose the shortlisted finalists of each category. 

The finalists will be announced online and in paper on Thursday, May 15. They will go forward to the finals night.

This year’s sponsors

Torbay Council (headline sponsors and Overall Winner); Wollens (Best New Business); Newton Abbot Racecourse (Best Marketing Initiative); Stagecoach (Greener Futures award); English Riviera Bid Company (Tourism Company of Year); Princess Theatre (Rising Star Award); South Devon College (Inspiring Employer of Year); Police and Crime Commissioner  Alison Hernandez (Commissioner's Business Community Champion);  Torbay Business Forum (Small Business of Year); Majestic Holidays (The James Wright Award for Inspirational Leadership, or ‘Jimmy Award’); Sally Allen (Innovation); Inter-Line (Apprentice of the Year); Torquay United FC (Sport and Health and Wellbeing Business of the Year).

 The Torbay Weekly Lifetime Achievement awards for contribution to business and the community will be announced on the finals night. The Overall Business of the Year will be chosen from across the category winners on the finals night and is not a category for entries.