Here they are! Finalists announced for the 2025 Torbay Weekly Naturally Inspiring Business Awards

Here they are, the businesses and individuals who have made it through to the finals of the Torbay Weekly Naturally Inspiring Business Awards 2025.

A judging panel comprising representatives of sponsors supporting this year's event spent an entire morning in the Torquay boardroom of Wollens solicitors deliberating over more than 100 entries, a record number this year.

The quality of entries for all 12 categories gave the judges a huge headache in drawing up a shortlist of finalists.

The finalists will now all go forward to the finals night at the Riviera International Conference Centre on Wednesday June 11 where category winners will be revealed. Tickets and tables for the night are now on sale. Please go to torbaybusinessawards.co.uk

Above: Judges Jenny Paton (left), from Newton Abbot Racecourse, and Alison Benney from the Torbay Business Forum. Image: MiraclePR

The 'Winner of Winners' and Overall Business of the Year will be announced by headline sponsors Torbay Council on the night.

Special Lifetime Awards for contributions to Business and the Community will also be presented by Torbay Weekly editor Jim Parker on the night.

He said after the judging: "The judges had an unbelievably hard task choosing finalists and winners this year. We have had a record number of entries and the standard has been the highest across all the categories. I would like to say a huge thanks to all the judges, our sponsors and to all those who have entered these awards. They are about celebrating and recognising business and the great success stories out there.

"We are hoping to get lots of support on finals night. It would be fabulous to have 300 guests in the room which would also be a record breaker."

Jon-Paul Hedge, Torbay Story Interim Place Manager at headline sponsors Torbay Council,  said: “These awards are a great opportunity for us all to celebrate and recognise the success and achievements of those who are involved in supporting and helping Torbay to thrive.

"They are bringing everyone together from across the Bay, who contribute to the local community and economy, whether that’s our small start-ups to more established businesses and not forgetting those who work hard in our community to improve the lives and area for those who live here. 

"What was clear from the applications is there are so many businesses and organisations doing extraordinary things in Torbay. It’s going to be brilliant to take some time to recognise these achievements at the awards event. Congratulations to all those who entered, and especially those who were shortlisted,  there is some really inspired work taking place across our three towns.”

Above: Judge Mark Bowes-Cavanagh from Torquay United. Image: MiraclePR

The shortlisted finalists are:

BEST NEW BUSINESS

• That Crafty Stitch
• Resinated Driveways
• Regina Rowe

SMALL BUSINESS OF THE YEAR

• Datel
• ACM Garage
• Jazz Hands- Palace Theatre

INNOVATION

• QLM 
• Rowcroft Hospice
• Insignia Creative

COMMISSIONER'S BUSINESS COMMUNITY CHAMPION

• Pier Point Bar & Restaurant
• Unleashed Theatre
• Torbay United Licenced Drivers Association TULDA

THE JAMES WRIGHT AWARD FOR INSPIRATIONAL LEADERSHIP 

• Laurence Frewin - South Devon College
• Alan Denby - Torbay Council
• David Rowe - Conroy Couch
• Mark Hawkins - Rowcroft

INSPIRING EMPLOYER OF THE YEAR 

• Twenty1 & Otto
• Sound Communities
• Rockfish

GREENER FUTURES AWARD

• Wollens
• Beverley Holidays
• Minycled ltd

TOURISM BUSINESS OF THE YEAR

• Offshore Bar & Restaurant
• Splashdown
• Kents Cavern
• Belgrave Sands

BEST MARKETING INITIATIVE

• Jazz Hands CIC
• Treat Marketing for SUP HUB
• Freedom Boat Club Torquay

APPRENTICE OF THE YEAR

• Floss - Kudos Hair
• Ellie Prettyjohns - Ocean Torbay
• Colin Huskisson - NHS

RISING STAR AWARD

• Sophia Martin - QLM 
• Roisin Payne - Torquay Watersports
• Emily Hardy - Mercure

SPORT, HEALTH AND WELLBEING (6)

• Great Parks
• Phoenix Rising CIC
• Unleashed Theatre