Torbay Council sponsorship of Business Awards gives Bay firms a flying start

Torbay Council has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting businesses of all sizes by returning as headline sponsor of the Torbay Weekly Naturally Inspiring Business Awards 2025.

The council is once again sponsoring the overall Business of the Year award, which last year was awarded to Spirent Communications, an international technology company with an office in Paignton. Council leader Dave Thomas presented the award. 

The deadline for applications this year has been extended to midnight on Monday, May 5.

This year, the council is seeking a winner that not only shows business success but also treats its employees well and actively supports the local community.

Cllr Chris Lewis, cabinet member for place development and economic growth and deputy leader of the council, said the awards were a vital way to share positivity and congratulate those who are doing well in the bay.

Above: Cllr Chris Lewis

“The Torbay Business Awards are the primary awards ceremony in the Bay – if not in Devon,” he said. “It’s important we have a process that celebrates those doing well and those making progress in their field. It’s always pleasing to see so many people wish to take part. There are a lot of good businesses in the Bay, and we too often focus on the negatives. We need to focus on the positives. These awards give people the opportunity to come forward and see that there’s actually an awful lot going on in Torbay.”

Cllr Lewis added that now is a particularly important time to recognise and celebrate business excellence, as regeneration plans gather pace.

“We’ve secured £100 million for regeneration across the Bay, which will probably be matched by a further £100 million in outside investment.

“Therefore, we’ve got to have strong local businesses. We need the private sector to be part of the story to regenerate Torbay. Businesses in Torquay, Paignton, and Brixham must help us deliver.”

Reflecting on last year’s award for Spirent Communications, he said the high-tech sector in Torbay was small but vital.

“I think we ought to recognise our high-tech sector more. Although it’s quite small compared to tourism and other businesses, it provides quality, high-paid jobs, which is what the bay needs. 

Some of the companies based at the EPIC Centre want to expand, so we’ve submitted a £10 million bid to the government to build a new high-tech building on the same site. It was fitting that we selected a high-tech firm as last year’s winner.”

Cllr Lewis said that while it is important to celebrate growth and success, a true business of the year must also take care of its people and contribute to its community.

“A lot of businesses are helping the community through sponsorship and by attending events. Their bread and butter is obviously their day-to-day business, but if they do that well, look after their staff and truly become part of the community – that’s what I think makes a winning business.”

He also emphasised the importance of changing perceptions about Torbay and inspiring the next generation of local entrepreneurs.

“Torbay is moving forward. Though you can understand some of the negativity about Torbay because it’s taken a long time to get action, things are changing — you can see that in the buildings. The Pavilion has fencing around it for work; we’re progressing on The Strand, Union Square, Victoria Square and the old Picture House. That’s a positive story.

“Too many of our young people move away and come back at a later age because there aren’t enough opportunities here. We’re trying to change that, but we can’t do it overnight. 

“We need those entrepreneurs to stay in Torbay and grow with the regeneration of where they were brought up. People must realise that this is a new ballgame, and things are changing.”

Cllr Lewis encouraged local businesses to enter the awards.

“You never know what might happen. I know it’s a cliché, but it’s the taking part that counts. More people get their names out there; they network, and even if they don’t win this year, there’s always next.”

How to enter

We want to make it as easy as possible for businesses to enter or to be nominated for  the Torbay Weekly Naturally Inspiring Business Awards 2025.

The deadline for nominations is midnight on Friday, April 25 and the deadline for applications has been extended to midnight on Monday, May 5, with a date of Wednesday, June 11 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.  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.