Torbay Business Awards 2026 open for entries with bigger plans than ever

The Torbay Business Awards 2026 have now been officially launched — and they promise to be bigger and better than ever before.

We have new categories and new sponsors for this year’s awards, which have become the highlight of the business calendar in the Bay.

Entries are now open for companies and individuals to enter - and don’t forget you can nominate somebody else and the Torbay Weekly team will help with the entry process to make sure they enter.

We would like to welcome new category sponsors Spirent and Pier Point on board this year. Next week they will be telling us why they have decided to support the awards.

Meanwhile, a winner from last year has revealed how the triumph has boosted her business.

That Crafty Stitch claimed top spot in the ‘Best New Business’ category.

Owner Sam Webber said winning the award has not only shone a spotlight on the brand across Torbay, but also significantly raised its local profile, firmly establishing That Crafty Stitch as a trusted bricks-and-mortar destination within the community.

The recognition cemented its reputation as a growing independent business, who have even gone on to relocate into larger premises just a few weeks ago.

The craft based business expanded and moved into a brand new bigger location in St Marychurch.

Just months after opening their first bricks and mortar store in the centre of town, they have relocated to their self proclaimed ‘bigger better yarn shop’ to become part of the growing crafty community in St Marychurch.

Their new store opened in January to an eager crowd waiting outside the doors, ready to experience That Crafty Stitch 2.0.

The brand has been steadily growing for the last five years since being founded from owner Sam’s spare room in her flat in 2020.

They now have a global reach with online orders received internationally and a huge social media presence.

Owner Sam says: “Tourists have been known to visit Torquay specifically so they can experience the viral yarn shop for themselves. The store has seen customers from parts of Europe, The US and across the UK, a lot of customers arranging their stays in Torquay just to fit in a visit to That Crafty Stitch, creating a flow of craft obsessed customers into the local economy and making Torquay a real destination for craft lovers.”

Sam shares the highs and lows of running a business on her social channels with a combined following of almost 100,000 followers.

She even documented the entire process of renovating the new store, from picking up the keys for the retail unit, to painting and decorating, even turning her hand to carpentry and floor sanding along the way.

She says: “People have become so invested in the journey that I’ve been sharing. Showing the entire process not only inspires others but you become a lot more relatable and people naturally want to support you in whatever way they can, which has helped us to grow our crafty community to what it is today.

“On the opening day we even had a lady come down from Kent for the store opening.”

Since opening the store has also received fantastic feedback from the locals who have been enamoured by the bright vibrant colours, squishy textures and potential projects.

Sam says: “At least once a day the store team is met with ‘Finally a decent yarn shop, we’ve needed this for so long.”

Last year’s ‘Best New Business’ award was sponsored and presented by Wollens solicitors.

Sam has since hosted a complimentary ‘Learn To Knit’ workshop for some of the team at Wollens, supporting her mission to share the joy of crafting and to get as many people knitting or crocheting as possible.

She says: “The team at Wollens thoroughly enjoyed it and some have not been able to stop crafting since.”

That Crafty Stitch stock their own branded yarns as well as various collections from King Cole, Baa Ram Ewe, Wool And The Gang, Hoooked and Wendy Wools, with a selection of natural and man made fibres.

Sam said “We really wanted to have something for everyone with our new and improved store, we want crafting to be as price accessible as possible so have lots of entry level price points as well as more premium yarns in natural fibres.”

The store also stocks a collection of knitting and crochet patterns, notions, needles, hooks and books, as well as a great range of gifting products perfect for craft obsessed gift recipients.

The new store is located at That Crafty Stitch, 5 Tudor Buildings, Fore Street, Torquay, TQ1 4PR.

This year’s shortlisted finalists and gala night will take place at the Riviera International Centre on June 5.

All the details of timelines, how to enter and how to buy tickets for the big night at the Riviera International Centre are online. You can use the QR code or website link https://www.nationalworldevents.com/tbba-2026/

Torbay Weekly editor Jim Parker said: “I would like to thank headline sponsors Torbay Council and all our other partners, old and new, for their support.

“This is an opportunity for businesses in the Bay to stick their heads above the parapet and shout about what they or others do for them because there are some tremendous success stories out there and we should be celebrating all of them. 

“Last year we had more than 300 people at the finals night. Let’s see if we can make it 400 this year. My appeal is simple: please enter.”

Categories and sponsors this year are:

Inspiring Employer of the Year Award — South Devon College (University Centre South Devon)

Best New Business Award — Stagecoach

Business Community Champion Award — Devon and Cornwall Police and Crime Commissioner Alison Hernandez

Small Business of the Year — Torbay Business Forum

Rising Star Award — Princess Theatre

Greener Futures Award — Wollens Solicitors

James Wright Award for Inspirational Leader — Majestic Holidays

Innovation Award — Spirent

Best Marketing Initiative — Sally Allen-Gerard, Marketing and PR Business Consultant 

Best English Riviera Tourism and Hospitality Experience Award — English Riviera BID Company

Best Food and Drink Award — Pier Point Torquay

Unsung Hero Award — Newton Abbot Racecourse

Outstanding Apprentice of the Year — Inter-Line

Sport Award — Torquay United

Overall Winner — sponsored by Torbay Council — not open for nominations

Lifetime Award for Community chosen and presented by Torbay Weekly Editor Jim Parker and not open for nominations.

Lifetime Award for Contribution to Business chosen and presented by Torbay Weekly Editor Jim Parker and not open for nominations.