A SHORTLIST of finalists for the 2024 Stirling Business Awards has been announced after more than 22,000 votes were cast during the selection process.
The businesses which secured the most votes now go forward as finalists with six shortlisted for the Outstanding Contribution to the City Award and three making the final for the other honours.
The winners of each of the 11 categories will be revealed at a black-tie awards ceremony held at the Albert Halls on Wednesday March 20.
The event will be hosted by Central FM and tickets are now available via Eventbrite – www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/stirling-business-awards-ceremony-2024-tickets-829819581707
Danielle McRorie-Smith is Project Director of Go Forth Stirling, the city’s Business Improvement District (BID), which launched the awards to recognise and reward the city’s independent business owners.
She said: “We have had an amazing response to our second annual business awards with more than 22,000 votes cast across the various award categories which is substantially more than last year.
“We’re excited to see the winners revealed at the awards ceremony next month and hope everyone who comes along has an amazing evening celebrating Stirling’s exceptional business owners and the city’s unique independent scene.”
A total of 22,464 votes were cast for a longlist of nominated businesses with Transition Stirling, Stirling Photography Festival, Stirling Community Enterprise, Creative Stirling, Stirling Open Streets Festival and The Fairy Tale Trail making the final for the Outstanding Contribution to the City award.
Nepalese and Indian restaurant Mint Leaf is a finalist for Restaurant of the Year along with Fletcher’s and Brea while Meraki, Slanj A Va and Molly Malones have reached the final for Pub/Bar of the Year.
Finalists for Café/Coffee Shop of the Year are The Book Nook, Janna’s Bakery and Victoria’s Coffee Shop and competing for Hair & Beauty Business of the Year are Frances Hunter Hairdressing, Allure Style Studio and FrownDocs Skincare Clinic.
In the Retailer of the Year category, the finalists are Europa Music, Joanie’s Music and Clan Artisan with Stirling Distillery, Game of Throwing and the Smith Art Gallery and Museum shortlisted for Visitor Attraction of the Year.
The finalists for Charity of the Year are Safebase, Start Up Stirling and Port Street charity shop Something Old Something New.
Meanwhile, Stirling Podiatry, Allan Park Dental Practice and D.S. MacDonald Watchmaker & Jeweller are in line for the Service-led Business of the Year honour.
Contenders for the Business Support Services of the Year are Codebase, surveyors Graham + Sibbald and accountants Dickson Middleton.
The final category is New Business of the Year with restaurant An Darna, hair salon Simpson & Co and estate agents Golden Tree Estates vying for that award.
Award sponsors include the Thistles and STEP Scotland with further sponsorship opportunities still available.
The Thistles Shopping Centre are headline sponsors and are also backing the Charity of the Year Award while STEP is sponsoring the Business Support Services of the Year Award.
More details about sponsorship packages can be found on Go Forth’s dedicated awards page – www.goforthstirling.co.uk/business-awards/
The Stirling Business Awards 2024 highlight the entrepreneurial business owners and teams behind Stirling’s flourishing independent community and are voted for by the public.
The annual awards are one of Go Forth’s many initiatives which aim to support the area’s business community.
Go Forth Stirling is the city’s BID representing more than 600 business owners with a key objective of increasing visitors to the city and devising initiatives to help make it a more welcoming destination for businesses and shoppers.
For more information, visit www.goforthstirling.co.uk
